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Stacks of books on display
2011.01.13 19:51 IAmSteven Stacks of books on display
A place to show off collections of books.
2017.03.23 14:37 nekkyo Her One Bag on the City Tour
Women and LGBTQIA+ specific travel essentials for one bag city travel.
2011.07.20 19:40 likwidtek reddit arcade - MAME - cabinets - jamma - /r/cade
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2024.05.13 23:28 AlfrescoDog The Great Wall and Wall Street: Become a Better Trader by Understanding the Perils of 🇨🇳 Chinese Companies on 🇺🇸 U.S. Exchanges
 | ⚠️ Attention all traders and holders of Chinese stocks: You should read this if you don’t know what a VIE is. Sure, most of you will be repelled by the great wall of text here (so many words!), but you might want to keep this post nearby. submitted by AlfrescoDog to wallstreetbets [link] [comments] Hello. You are aware that Wall Street’s bustling bazaar hosts a veritable Forbidden City of Chinese companies draped in ticker tape rather than silk. Today, I will provide background and data on all allowed Chinese companies listed on three of the largest U.S. stock exchanges: New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), Nasdaq, and NYSE American. I should note that a bustling troupe of 26 national securities exchanges are registered with the SEC in the United States. Most are owned by the Nasdaq, NYSE, or the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE). Nonetheless, based on data from the World Federation of Exchanges as of August 2023, the NYSE and Nasdaq were the top two exchanges behemoths of the global financial stage, accounting for 42.4% of the total $110.2 trillion in valuation traded across 80 major global exchanges. 🖼️ I had a photo of Wall Street to add here, but I'm only allowed to include one attachment. 2022 vs. 2023 According to the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, as of January 8, 2024, there were 265 Chinese companies listed on the three U.S. exchanges, with a total market capitalization of $848 billion. That valuation is down from a year prior—January 9, 2023—when a slightly lower 252 Chinese companies were tracked, but they represented a total market capitalization of $1.03 trillion. Since January 2023, 24 Chinese companies have entered the spotlight of the three U.S. exchanges, raising $656 million in combined initial public offerings (IPOs). On the other hand, eleven Chinese companies have folded their tents and delisted. China Securities Regulatory Commission The American stock exchanges witnessed a springtime bloom of Chinese IPOs in the first quarter of 2023. However, this listing activity came to an abrupt halt as the clock struck March 31, 2023. Why? The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) implemented a revised approval process for companies going public overseas. I won’t get into the details, but China has rules to cap foreign investment and ownership in sectors deemed strategic, such as technology. In the past, those regulations have driven several Chinese firms to the legal gymnastics of a Variable Interest Entity (VIE) structure—a clever contrivance that allowed them to leapfrog domestic constraints. However, under the revised review mechanism, every company, regardless of its corporate ownership structure, must now bow before the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) to register its intent to list overseas. 🖼️ I had a photo of the CSRC building to add here, but I'm only allowed to include one attachment. The gatekeeper Therefore, although the CSRC touted this regulation as a necessary measure for enforcing regulatory compliance and preventing fraud (which is true), it also helps regulators act as gatekeepers poised to block any proposed listing they deem poses a risk to their national security or jeopardizes China's national interests. This process is wide-ranging. For instance, it includes an evaluation of the company’s safeguards against disclosing what the Chinese Communist Party considers potential state secrets. But we’re not talking about top-secret black-ops projects meant to be hidden from international oversight committees. No… any company that collects personal information on more than one million users requires stern data security review mechanisms for its cross-border data flows. For perspective, TikTok has over 150 million users in the U.S. alone and is not subject to the same scrutiny from the Western nations. Currently, the CSRC approval process is reportedly taking upward of six months. Audit inspections and investigations in China You’re probably unaware of the HFCAA, so let’s start there. The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act of 2020 (HFCAA) is a law that requires companies publicly listed on stock exchanges in the U.S. to disclose to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) information on foreign jurisdictions that prevent the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) from conducting inspections. That law laid down a stern ultimatum: If Chinese authorities kept obstructing the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) from inspecting audit firms in China or Hong Kong for three consecutive years, the companies audited by these entities would face a ban from the bustling arenas of the U.S. exchanges. Basically, either China allowed the PCAOB to inspect the audit firms, or the companies had to change to another auditing firm within three years. Then, as 2022 waned to its final days (literally, on December 29), President Joe Biden signed a Consolidated Appropriations Act, which contained a provision that will tighten the noose, shortening future timelines from three consecutive years to only two. Once they looked under the rock Finally allowed to conduct full investigations of audit firms in mainland China and Hong Kong after over a decade of obstruction, the PCAOB announced the findings of its first round of inspections in May 2023, identifying deficiencies in seven of eight audits conducted by the auditing firms KPMG Huazhen and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Hong Kong. Audits of Chinese Companies Are Highly Deficient, U.S. Regulator Says On November 30, 2023, the PCAOB announced fines against three audit firms in China, totaling $7.9 million for misconduct. For perspective, that number included the second and third-largest fines ever doled out by the PCAOB. Why were the fines so bad? Those sneaky Chinese accountants Imagine a gaggle of accountants in the far reaches of PwC China and Hong Kong applying for a U.S. auditing curriculum. But alas, these foreign accountants find the U.S. auditing training tests a trifle tedious, so someone came up with the answers and decided to pass them around like a secret note in a schoolroom. From 2018 to 2020, over 1,000 of these busy bees completed their U.S. auditing online exams by copying the answers from two unauthorized apps with a fervor that would make a gossip columnist blush. When confronted with the evidence, PwC China and PwC Hong Kong response: 🤷♂️ And let me remind you, this happened late last year. Both firms are expected to provide reasonable assurance that their personnel will act with integrity in connection with internal training and to report their compliance to the PCAOB within 150 days—April 2024. 🖼️ I was planning on using an AI-generated image of Chinese accountants cheating, but I'm only allowed to include one attachment. State-owned enterprises According to the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, this graph represents the total market capitalization of Chinese companies listed in the three U.S. exchanges. Market Capitalization of Listed Chinese Companies The number of listed companies has stayed at around 260. However, all Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have delisted themselves from U.S. exchanges, most of them soon after the PCAOB announced it had secured complete access to Chinese auditors’ records. Variable Interest Entities (VIEs) Most traders—and that means you—are unaware that 166 Chinese companies currently listed on the three major U.S. exchanges use a VIE structure. As of January 8, 2024, these companies have a market capitalization of $772 billion. For perspective, that represents 91% of the total market capitalization of all the Chinese firms listed on the three major U.S. exchanges. What the hell is a VIE? It is a complex corporate structure that grants shareholders contractual claims to control via an offshore shell company without transferring actual ownership in the company. A Variable Interest Entity (VIE) is a bit like a riverboat casino’s cleverest trick, allowing a company to sell its chips on a foreign table without ever letting the players hold the cards directly. A VIE is a structure used primarily by companies that wish to partake in the financial streams of another country (the U.S. exchanges) without breaking local laws (Chinese laws) that prevent full ownership. Remember, Chinese companies structured themselves as VIEs to circumvent China’s restrictions—not U.S. restrictions—on foreign ownership in industries the CCP deems sensitive. Therefore, when you hold stock in one of these Chinese companies, you’re not officially holding any actual ownership in the company. Because if you did, then that company could be breaking Chinese restrictive caps on foreign investment and ownership. That’s why they set up a façade, or a legal entity, that controls the business on paper, but the true power and profits are funneled back to the company pulling the strings. Granted, it’s not as shaky as asking a random stranger to hold your shares, but it is crafty, and you should be aware of the risks. Wait. What are the risks? You need to understand that there’s a shadow of potential risk looming. Potential. Now, don't mistake me for the town crier of doom; I'm not proclaiming that the sky is falling on these shares. Nor am I declaring that disaster is certain for Chinese stocks. What I am pointing out, however, is the presence of a risk—a subtle beast that might just catch you off guard if you remain unaware. And let’s face it: Most of you are completely oblivious to these issues. There are two sides here: 🇺🇸 & 🇨🇳 🇺🇸 Since July 2021, the SEC has imposed additional disclosure requirements for Chinese companies using a VIE to sell shares in the U.S. These requirements include greater transparency about the relationship between the VIE and its Chinese operating companies. In summary, the SEC aims to push VIEs toward the company behind them to offer more clarity on U.S. investor ownership in the Chinese operating company. 🇨🇳 On the other side, Chinese companies that list overseas using a VIE were not required to register their listings with the CSRC, as the VIE is not considered a Chinese company under China’s law. This is the reason VIEs were used in the first place. However, as I mentioned earlier, after March 31, 2023, the CSRC established requirements for all new Chinese companies to register and receive permission before going public overseas—even those planning to use VIE structures. That’s why there was a boom of Chinese IPOs before that deadline. Granted, on September 14, 2023, a Chinese auto insurance platform became the first company that received the elusive blessing of the CSRC to list, and it did so using a VIE arrangement, breaking the long, dry spell that had plagued Chinese IPOs when she listed on the Nasdaq four days later. However, even though VIEs received some sort of recognition from the CSRC, the VIE corporate structures still hold dubious legal status under China’s laws. Remember, VIEs purpose is to avoid being considered a Chinese company under China’s laws. So… do you see the potential risk here? Umm… No, I don’t get it. Think about it. Either country could potentially increase regulations for VIEs, but if the SEC forces them to be more transparent, the VIE would not be able to circumvent China’s restrictions. That’s one risk. Also, at some point, China’s CSRC might question whether it’s appropriate to recognize a corporate structure that was created to circumvent its laws. Which leads me to this: What’s keeping the CCP from deciding to start reigning in those VIEs? The answer is simple: They’re not in a hurry to do so because if misfortune should befall, it’ll be the foreign investors who’ll see their assets deflated like a punctured balloon. 🖼️ I would've added a nice image or two by now, to balance all the text and make this more appealing, but I'm only allowed to include one attachment. If a VIE-listed company goes private at a lower valuation, businesses fail, or there’s a valuation discrepancy, the enforceability of a VIE’s contractual arrangements is unproven in Chinese courts. With VIE-listed companies, foreign investors’ recourse in the Chinese legal system is as elusive as a catfish’s whisper. Yeah, but that’s unlikely… Sure. Of course, I’m not saying every Chinese stock will have these issues. But it can happen. And it has happened. The unlucky case of Luckin Coffee Due to the lack of compliance with international audit inspections, Chinese corporate financial statements’ reliability for valuation and investment is not assured. Such is the case of Luckin Coffee. In a bold bid to capture Wall Street’s hearts and wallets, Luckin Coffee showed up dressed in finery, flaunting alluring figures of revenue, operations, and bustling customer traffic. At her grand debut, the stock sashayed onto the Nasdaq at $17, swirling up a storm of interested buyers to the tune of $561 million in capital. For a fleeting moment, Luckin shimmered like a star over the financial firmament, boasting a market capitalization that soared to a heady $12 billion, with shares peaking just over $50. Ah, but as the adage goes, ‘Truth will out.’ And out it came—the revelation of those embroidered numbers caused the company's stock to plummet like a stone tossed from a bridge, leaving a wake of investor losses and culminating in a disgraceful delisting from Nasdaq 13 months after her debut. Luckin Coffee Drops Nasdaq Appeal; Shares to Be Delisted 🖼️ I would've added an AI-generated image of a cup of Luckin Coffee jumping from a bridge, but I'm only allowed to include one attachment. Well… but that won’t happen to me… Uh-huh. On April 2, 2020, after announcing that employees—including its chief operating officer—falsified 2.2 billion yuan (about $310 million) in sales throughout 2019, Luckin's shares nosedived -80%. This is from one of you unluckin bastards: I've lost 240k on Luckin Coffee, all my life savings. Now I'm broke af. I’m sure many of you might reckon yourselves immune to a similar debacle since you think you’re smart enough to use stops to escape any runaway losses. It's time to wake up and smell the Luckin coffee. Chinese news catalysts often strike like lightning at night, and the stops you set under the sun cannot shield you from storms that explode in the moonlight. Dumbass. Chinese regulators can be mercurial Even though the PCAOB is currently able to perform its oversight responsibilities, concerns remain around the possibility that Chinese regulators might backtrack, potentially clamping down once again on the PCAOB's ability to access audit firms and personnel across mainland China and Hong Kong. If that happens, the PCAOB can quickly declare a negative determination. HOWEVER, this action would only start the countdown under the HFCAA, giving U.S.-listed Chinese companies a window of TWO years to secure services from an auditor in a compliant jurisdiction or face a trading ban. That’s it. Of course, within that time, Chinese regulators could agree once again to allow access to the PCAOB, thus resetting the two-year countdown without significant consequences. What lurks in the shadows Although the risk of PCAOB non-compliance looms over these financial engagements, it is the ghost of potentially misconstrued—or, let's say, creatively presented—earnings reports coming to light that should scare you most. Or, on the flip side, present the biggest opportunity. I believe it is possible that there are several ghosts out there—ghastly financial figures dressed up a tad too finely—lingering in the shadows, unchecked and unchallenged. If they’re found and unveiled under the harsh spotlight of scrutiny, the fallout would be immediate and severe, leaving investors scrambling. And if that happens, it’s not about diamond-holding through the plunge since the company might opt (or be forced) to delist from the U.S. exchanges. 🖼️ I would've added an AI-generated image of an attractive young Chinese ghost woman, implying both the allure of Chinese stocks, but also the risk of getting closer. However, I'm only allowed to include one attachment. You need to understand a crucial concept. Many traders believe that if a company messes up, plunges, and gets delisted, it means the company is basically over—dead. But that’s not the case here. A delisting does not equal death. I mean, Luckin Coffee is still out there, alive and kicking. 16,218 stores and counting, covering 240+ cities across China.You would think that a company like that would not be able to cheat on its balance sheet. Yeah, just like you would think PwC China would notice 1,000 accountants cheated their way through the U.S. auditing curriculum. 🖼️ I would've added an AI-generated image of a Chinese accountant dabbing like a boss for getting his cheated accounting diploma, but I'm only allowed to include one attachment. So… is it too far-fetched to believe more ghosts might come to light, now that the PCAOB can supervise the numbers? I mentioned a flip side since you could specialize in tracking everything the PCAOB does. If you can get a whiff about increased auditing on a certain company, you might decide to play a short position in anticipation of a potential ghost coming to light. Be warned, though, that it’s not as if they tweet out which companies they’re auditing. If I were to do it, I would research and join whatever digital saloon young Chinese ledger-keepers convene in. Perhaps I’d stumble upon a post by SumYungGuy or another pleading for advice on how to parley with the PCAOB Laowai making a fuss over his figures. The poor lad's in a pickle, you see, since he cheated the exam and doesn’t know squat. Methodology For the purposes of this table, a company is considered Chinese if:
I should also point out that this list does not include companies domiciled exclusively in Hong Kong or Macau. ⚠️ Remember, this list only considers Chinese companies listed on three of the largest U.S. stock exchanges: New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), Nasdaq, and NYSE American. Oh, and btw, this isn’t a list I came up with. This info was compiled by the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. It’s their methodology and list. Since the majority is a VIE, I’ve marked the ones that are not registered as a VIE with an asterisk (*). This is determined using the most recent annual report filed with the SEC. A company is judged to have a VIE if:
Chinese companies listed on U.S. exchanges Companies are arranged by the size of their current market capitalization. All companies utilize a VIE corporate structure, except those marked with an asterisk (*). BABA Alibaba Group Holding Limited PDD Pinduoduo Inc. NTES NetEase, Inc. JD JD.com, Inc. BIDU Baidu, Inc TCOM Trip.com International, Ltd. TME Tencent Music Entertainment Group LI Li Auto BEKE KE Holdings BGNE BeiGene * ZTO ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. YUMC Yum China Holdings Inc. EDU New Oriental Education & Technology Group, Inc. HTHT H World Group Limited * NIO NIO Inc. YMM Full Truck Alliance Co. Ltd VIPS Vipshop Holdings Limited TAL TAL Education Group LEGN Legend Biotech * MNSO Miniso * BZ Kanzhun Limited XPEV Xpeng BILI Bilibili Inc. IQ iQIYI, Inc. HCM HUTCHMED (China) Limited * ATHM Autohome Inc. QFIN Qifu Technology RLX RLX Technology LU Lufax ATAT Atour Lifestyle Holdings * WB Weibo Corporation ZLAB Zai Lab Limited * ZKH ZKH Group Ltd * YY JOYY Inc. GOTU Gaotu Techedu, Inc. MSC Studio City International Holdings Limited * GCT GigaCloud Technology Inc GDS GDS Holdings Limited ACMR ACM Research, Inc. * HOLI Hollysys Automation Technologies, Ltd. * FINV FinVolution Group JKS JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. * DQ Daqo New Energy Corp. * MOMO Hello Group Inc. CSIQ Canadian Solar Inc. * EH Ehang TUYA Tuya Inc. NOAH Noah Holdings Ltd. HUYA HUYA Inc. KC Kingsoft Cloud YALA Yalla * These are only 51 of the 261 Chinese companies currently listed on the major U.S. exchanges to comply with rule three. I kept the market cap minimum at $750M to allow for some wiggle room. I mentioned earlier that the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission had 265 tickers, but that was on January 8, 2024. Since then, three companies have been acquired, and the other one has voluntarily delisted. As you can confirm, the vast majority is structured as a VIE. I was going to include charts to illustrate how several Chinese stocks—aside from the ones with the biggest market caps—tend to display sudden rallies, followed by after-hours reversals. It is important to recognize them, whether you want to capitalize on them, or avoid them entirely. But I can't add any more attachments, so... Besides, it's unlikely that many of you have even read this far without images. Have a good day. |
2024.05.13 22:42 newyork0120 The Met Gaia Is The Latest Casualty As Leftist Protesters Turn On Their Masters
Every year I’m confronted with the decision of whether to talk about the Met Gala. And it can be a tough decision if I’m being totally honest - on one hand, it’s always easy to point and laugh at rich Leftists wearing weird costumes and making fools out of themselves; on the other hand, it’s gotten way too easy to do that, and as far as celebrity freak shows go, the Met Gala is sort of like the Oscars at this point: its supposed “unpredictability” is now cliche, its zaniness is now boring. Unless mayhem breaks out—say, like an actor slaps the presenter live on-stage or something like that—then the truth is that no one really cares about any of these events anymore - in fact, I’m still not even sure what the Met Gala is. All I know is that the celebrities dress strangely and then go into I guess a big museum. What do they do inside the museum? Is there some kind of award ceremony? Is it a dance? Is it like celebrity prom or something? Do they sacrifice a live goat and drink its blood while chanting satanic curses? Is it some combination of these things? Nobody knows for sure. And most of all, nobody cares.
But fortunately, something interesting did happen at the Met Gala last week, or at least outside of it. Mobs of pro-Palestine demonstrators, apparently bored of their tent cities on college campuses, slowly marched through Manhattan towards the Met, and when they arrived, they tore down the police barricades and flooded the street.
Just for fun, here’s Lizzo dressed like something that you might find inside an unflushed toilet at Panda Express, and that’s what she wore to the Met Gala while riots raged outside in a clash of poor commies versus rich commies, as Peachy Keenan put it. These riots should also bring to mind I think some immediate logistical considerations that the Democratic Party now has to think about - for one thing, it’s safe to say that planning for the Democratic National Convention is going through some last-minute revisions right about now. Just imagine being in charge of security for the DNC; you’re gonna need bigger barricades than they had at the Met, and probably a lot more cops.
But more barricades and cops aren’t gonna fix the underlying problem that the Democratic Party has created here. There’s now a full-on uprising on the Left against the elitism that Democrats have long embraced - and the media is getting involved, too. Yahoo, for example, has already turned on the Met Gala; they just published a piece declaring, “The Met Gala’s Opulence Is Always Gross. This Year, It’s Obscene.”
Now, the whole article is a rant that hits a crescendo with this paragraph, which is probably the single-longest run-on sentence I’ve ever seen in my entire life. Here it is, this whole thing is one sentence, just so you know:
In any event, that whole massive paragraph could be summed up as saying, “We’re living through late-stage capitalism right now.” That’s what the Left-wing media is saying. That’s the way that they are framing this, and of course, “late-stage capitalism” is one of their favorite phrases to use these days. And they used to celebrate the Met Gala, but not anymore. Now they’re saying the same thing the demonstrators are, which is that the frivolous elite are partying while Rome burns—which they are, of course—and they’re furious about it, or pretending to be.
Now, what the media and these demonstrators don’t want to admit is that the elitists at this gala—all the celebrities who are dressed like slutty Star Wars villains and so on—are on their team. The celebrities are part of the ruling class, the protesters and media critics are its products and in some cases quite literally its offspring. Now, to be sure, the celebrities and college administrators and the politicians are reluctant to acknowledge that their own Frankenstein monster is turning against them, but that’s exactly what’s happening.
Remember that it was two years ago that AOC showed up to the Met Gala with a “Tax the Rich” gown. There were a bunch of sympathetic news stories highlighting her bravery at the time, and here’s how AOC justified showing up to an event that costs $300,000 per table while equipped with a custom dress, handbag, shoes and jewelry costing more than $2,000.
Her whole schtick was always hypocritical and disingenuous, of course, but it turns out that Leftist activists were listening to this rhetoric, I guess, they were taking it seriously, we’ve seen this a lot lately. When Chuck Schumer threatened Supreme Court justices, Leftists showed up at the justices’ homes; when the White House claimed that “trans kids” were being abused, a Leftist shot and killed Christians; when Democrats accused Israel of “genocide,” college students occupied university buildings; now two years after AOC attacked the Met, leftist gathered outside of the building.
This is the escalation that Democrats have primed this country for; it’s now in progress, whether Democrats intended it to happen to THEM or not—which, of course, they didn’t—but that’s not to say that ruling elites are going to roll over and let this happen. I mean, as you saw in that footage, the cops showed up in force and started making arrests the very second that protestors trespassed through the barricades in front of the Met. They were on the scene immediately.
Now, that’s kind of a noticeable contrast when compare it to other things like when these people set up encampments on college campuses, they were given in most cases a few days, maybe a week, before the cops moved in; when they looted and burned poor neighborhoods, they were given about three months to inflict carnage before anyone did anything about it; but when they showed up at the Met Gala, they were given three SECONDS before the arrests started. So it really shows you kind of how the hierarchy works.
The Democrats can’t protect the rest of the country from these mobs, nor do they intend to. So last night, in addition to creating a scene at the Met Gala, Leftists also vandalized a World War I memorial in New York and torched an American flag in front of it.
So please note, again, the contrast, the hierarchy, and the fact that this was happening at the exact same time as the Met Gala thing - REALLY shows you where the priorities are when you notice what kinds of illegal demonstrations the police will stop and which demonstrations they’ll allow to continue. The mob can deface World War I memorials all they want because in doing so, they’re communicating their hatred for this country and everything it stands for. So the Democrats who run New York aren’t going to stop them. But the mob isn’t allowed to inconvenience celebrities at the Met under any circumstances.
The point is that this is the hierarchy that Democrats clearly want to enforce. The trouble is getting the mob to RESPECT the hierarchy, and the Democrats are having trouble with that at the moment.
Yet they still seem oblivious, the Democrats are—or acting oblivious, at least—to the fact that they created this monster themselves, and that’s why inside the Met, as chaos unfolded outside, the party continued uninterrupted, and so did all of this associated weirdness, which was as off-putting as it’s ever been - take for example this decoy costume worn by someone using the name “Karol G.” Now, apparently she wanted to keep her real costume a secret, so earlier in the evening, she sported this beige umbrella-looking lampshade thing instead.
Now, imagine being a hardcore, AOC-loving Leftist who sees this - Democrats have spent the last several years telling you to despise rich people and commit crimes in the name of political activism, and then down the street from your hippy commune at the local university, some celebrity is walking around in a lampshade costume which probably costs $50,000 or something, and the entire Democratic Party establishment is pretending that it’s all normal. What do you do? How would you view the Democratic Party establishment after seeing this?
Now, as for the costume itself, of course, it’s clearly a bid for attention, and I guess it worked—I’m talking about it—but it’s not even an original idea - as a lot of people have pointed out, the outfit bears a striking resemblance to a certain shower curtain costume from the film “Karate Kid,” only with different colors, so there’s really no redeeming qualities whatsoever here, it’s a total debacle all around.
But to be fair, there was at least some originality on display last night - for example, this celebrity apparently walked through a wind tunnel full of roses somewhere before arriving at the Met, and for her trouble, Vogue named her as one of the best-dressed women of the evening.
We can assume again that this… woman?… paid many thousands of dollars for that outfit, which is just a trench coat with flower peddles and glitter glued onto it. It really looks like something a four-year-old girl might make. As everybody knows, in the mind of a four-year-old girl, anything and everything can be made prettier with copious amounts of glitter and flowers, which is a fine mentality for a small child; doesn’t translate very well in this case. And as self-congratulatory as it is, again, there’s no self-awareness whatsoever - it’s almost as if the entire purpose of the event is to celebrate the elites’ total inability to detect how preposterous, self-absorbed, and laughable they are.
An this is nothing new, it’s been the case since the Met Gala was established, it’s always been a mini-theater of the absurd. What’s changed is that the voting base of the Democratic Party isn’t laughing along with these clowns as much anymore. They turned against the universities; now they’ve turned against Hollywood. What the protesters of course don’t understand is that they have inherited their own worldview and everything they believe from these very institutions and these very people.
Hollywood and Academia don’t realize that they’re being attacked by their own Frankenstein, but the Frankenstein monster also doesn’t realize that it IS the Frankenstein monster. And if Frankenstein ever wakes up to that fact, well then the ruling class will really be in trouble.
submitted by newyork0120 to Rants [link] [comments]
But fortunately, something interesting did happen at the Met Gala last week, or at least outside of it. Mobs of pro-Palestine demonstrators, apparently bored of their tent cities on college campuses, slowly marched through Manhattan towards the Met, and when they arrived, they tore down the police barricades and flooded the street.
Just for fun, here’s Lizzo dressed like something that you might find inside an unflushed toilet at Panda Express, and that’s what she wore to the Met Gala while riots raged outside in a clash of poor commies versus rich commies, as Peachy Keenan put it. These riots should also bring to mind I think some immediate logistical considerations that the Democratic Party now has to think about - for one thing, it’s safe to say that planning for the Democratic National Convention is going through some last-minute revisions right about now. Just imagine being in charge of security for the DNC; you’re gonna need bigger barricades than they had at the Met, and probably a lot more cops.
But more barricades and cops aren’t gonna fix the underlying problem that the Democratic Party has created here. There’s now a full-on uprising on the Left against the elitism that Democrats have long embraced - and the media is getting involved, too. Yahoo, for example, has already turned on the Met Gala; they just published a piece declaring, “The Met Gala’s Opulence Is Always Gross. This Year, It’s Obscene.”
Now, the whole article is a rant that hits a crescendo with this paragraph, which is probably the single-longest run-on sentence I’ve ever seen in my entire life. Here it is, this whole thing is one sentence, just so you know:
Even in an era filled with the horrors of late-stage capitalism run amok—bipartisan support for genocide; rolling back of reproductive, civil, and voting rights; a threadbare social safety net; decades of wage stagnation; tax cuts for the the rich; the crushing of unions and labor rights; expansion of the militarized police surveillance state; creeping techno-authoritarianism; untested, unregulated, and unchecked A.I.; entrenched racial inequality and injustice; right-wing and white supremacist extremist violence; and Boeing jet parts falling from the sky like so many dead whistleblowers—that kind of frivolous urgency promises that this year’s event nonetheless will stand out as a vainglorious display of self-congratulatory decadence and tone-deaf extravagance.Now, first of all, just as a stylistic matter, if you’re going to make a sentence that long, it needs to be coherent. And “Boeing jet parts are falling from the sky like so many dead whistleblowers?” That doesn’t even make sense; the dead whistleblowers didn’t fall from the sky. I mean, they’re not being pushed out planes. One of them shot himself allegedly and the other died of an illness. Now, even if you subscribe to the theory that Boeing’s hitmen killed these whistleblowers—which, who knows, maybe they did—the fact remains that they didn’t fall from the sky. They died on the ground, so the metaphor just doesn’t work. And this is the problem you get into with 100-word sentences: eventually, you just lose track of what you’re saying.
In any event, that whole massive paragraph could be summed up as saying, “We’re living through late-stage capitalism right now.” That’s what the Left-wing media is saying. That’s the way that they are framing this, and of course, “late-stage capitalism” is one of their favorite phrases to use these days. And they used to celebrate the Met Gala, but not anymore. Now they’re saying the same thing the demonstrators are, which is that the frivolous elite are partying while Rome burns—which they are, of course—and they’re furious about it, or pretending to be.
Now, what the media and these demonstrators don’t want to admit is that the elitists at this gala—all the celebrities who are dressed like slutty Star Wars villains and so on—are on their team. The celebrities are part of the ruling class, the protesters and media critics are its products and in some cases quite literally its offspring. Now, to be sure, the celebrities and college administrators and the politicians are reluctant to acknowledge that their own Frankenstein monster is turning against them, but that’s exactly what’s happening.
Remember that it was two years ago that AOC showed up to the Met Gala with a “Tax the Rich” gown. There were a bunch of sympathetic news stories highlighting her bravery at the time, and here’s how AOC justified showing up to an event that costs $300,000 per table while equipped with a custom dress, handbag, shoes and jewelry costing more than $2,000.
REPORTER: “You know this dress has a message for this Met Gala, tell me about what that is.”It’s a really important conversation, AOC says, some people aren’t ready to hear it, but we need to punish rich people, we need to make them as uncomfortable as possible, we need to take their money, and that was the message from AOC, who not incidentally, grew up in a very well-off suburb.
AOC: “You know, I made a message, it says ’Tax the Rich’ right there, uh, it’s really about having a real conversation about fairness and equity in our system, and I think that this conversation is particularly relevant as we debate over budget and reconciliation down. What we’re talking about, providing working families with child care, healthcare, and meeting the climate crisis [unintelligible]* it deserves. … I think that ultimately, you know, we’re at a very critical point. I think there are some folks who are starting to really understand that this is a very critical conversation for us to be having right now. Other folks have invested interest in not having that conversation, but our point is to keep organizing and keep it going.”*
Her whole schtick was always hypocritical and disingenuous, of course, but it turns out that Leftist activists were listening to this rhetoric, I guess, they were taking it seriously, we’ve seen this a lot lately. When Chuck Schumer threatened Supreme Court justices, Leftists showed up at the justices’ homes; when the White House claimed that “trans kids” were being abused, a Leftist shot and killed Christians; when Democrats accused Israel of “genocide,” college students occupied university buildings; now two years after AOC attacked the Met, leftist gathered outside of the building.
This is the escalation that Democrats have primed this country for; it’s now in progress, whether Democrats intended it to happen to THEM or not—which, of course, they didn’t—but that’s not to say that ruling elites are going to roll over and let this happen. I mean, as you saw in that footage, the cops showed up in force and started making arrests the very second that protestors trespassed through the barricades in front of the Met. They were on the scene immediately.
Now, that’s kind of a noticeable contrast when compare it to other things like when these people set up encampments on college campuses, they were given in most cases a few days, maybe a week, before the cops moved in; when they looted and burned poor neighborhoods, they were given about three months to inflict carnage before anyone did anything about it; but when they showed up at the Met Gala, they were given three SECONDS before the arrests started. So it really shows you kind of how the hierarchy works.
The Democrats can’t protect the rest of the country from these mobs, nor do they intend to. So last night, in addition to creating a scene at the Met Gala, Leftists also vandalized a World War I memorial in New York and torched an American flag in front of it.
So please note, again, the contrast, the hierarchy, and the fact that this was happening at the exact same time as the Met Gala thing - REALLY shows you where the priorities are when you notice what kinds of illegal demonstrations the police will stop and which demonstrations they’ll allow to continue. The mob can deface World War I memorials all they want because in doing so, they’re communicating their hatred for this country and everything it stands for. So the Democrats who run New York aren’t going to stop them. But the mob isn’t allowed to inconvenience celebrities at the Met under any circumstances.
The point is that this is the hierarchy that Democrats clearly want to enforce. The trouble is getting the mob to RESPECT the hierarchy, and the Democrats are having trouble with that at the moment.
Yet they still seem oblivious, the Democrats are—or acting oblivious, at least—to the fact that they created this monster themselves, and that’s why inside the Met, as chaos unfolded outside, the party continued uninterrupted, and so did all of this associated weirdness, which was as off-putting as it’s ever been - take for example this decoy costume worn by someone using the name “Karol G.” Now, apparently she wanted to keep her real costume a secret, so earlier in the evening, she sported this beige umbrella-looking lampshade thing instead.
Now, imagine being a hardcore, AOC-loving Leftist who sees this - Democrats have spent the last several years telling you to despise rich people and commit crimes in the name of political activism, and then down the street from your hippy commune at the local university, some celebrity is walking around in a lampshade costume which probably costs $50,000 or something, and the entire Democratic Party establishment is pretending that it’s all normal. What do you do? How would you view the Democratic Party establishment after seeing this?
Now, as for the costume itself, of course, it’s clearly a bid for attention, and I guess it worked—I’m talking about it—but it’s not even an original idea - as a lot of people have pointed out, the outfit bears a striking resemblance to a certain shower curtain costume from the film “Karate Kid,” only with different colors, so there’s really no redeeming qualities whatsoever here, it’s a total debacle all around.
But to be fair, there was at least some originality on display last night - for example, this celebrity apparently walked through a wind tunnel full of roses somewhere before arriving at the Met, and for her trouble, Vogue named her as one of the best-dressed women of the evening.
We can assume again that this… woman?… paid many thousands of dollars for that outfit, which is just a trench coat with flower peddles and glitter glued onto it. It really looks like something a four-year-old girl might make. As everybody knows, in the mind of a four-year-old girl, anything and everything can be made prettier with copious amounts of glitter and flowers, which is a fine mentality for a small child; doesn’t translate very well in this case. And as self-congratulatory as it is, again, there’s no self-awareness whatsoever - it’s almost as if the entire purpose of the event is to celebrate the elites’ total inability to detect how preposterous, self-absorbed, and laughable they are.
An this is nothing new, it’s been the case since the Met Gala was established, it’s always been a mini-theater of the absurd. What’s changed is that the voting base of the Democratic Party isn’t laughing along with these clowns as much anymore. They turned against the universities; now they’ve turned against Hollywood. What the protesters of course don’t understand is that they have inherited their own worldview and everything they believe from these very institutions and these very people.
Hollywood and Academia don’t realize that they’re being attacked by their own Frankenstein, but the Frankenstein monster also doesn’t realize that it IS the Frankenstein monster. And if Frankenstein ever wakes up to that fact, well then the ruling class will really be in trouble.
2024.05.13 22:33 Tigra21 Hunter or Huntress Chapter 189: Reporting In
As the world faded away into nothing but a dark void, Tom felt the only mildly familiar sensation of magic flowing like a gentle stream. It wasn’t much of a draw, but it was certainly noticeable.
“Right, best make this quick then,” he tried thinking to himself, feeling the flow peak as he did.
“Who is this? Make what quick?” an ethereal sounding female voice replied. It did sound a bit like how he remembered Joelina sounding. Though she did not exactly sound calm.
“Uhm… Hello? Anyone there?”
“Yes hello. Who is this? What must be done quick? Answer me at once!”
“It’s Tom… Is that you, Joelina?”
“Yes of course it is! Stupid dragons taking ages, I have questions for you! So many questiiioooonssss...”
“Yeah I figured that… Fire away I suppose.” Tom replied a little uncertainly as to just what he might be in for.
“Firstly! Did you read the letters?”
“I did yeah…”
“Disregard them, I have learned much since they were written! So much more yes, cursed blessed knowledge…”
“So you do know we have gone to space then?”
“What? No, I re-experienced the memory you had of the movie about the moon mission. It was evident on the second watching that it was trickery of the eye! Spaceflight is but a myth!”
“Riiight.”
“Then how have your kind visited space? And what of the gods above!? it was evident that the woman with the crystals was but a fraud!” Joelina explained with all the calm and restraint of a shoppingmall Karen
“Well the rockets to the moon, that did happen.” Tom attempted, doing his best to remain calm and diplomatic. “The movie you saw was probably a recreation… Tell me, did things go wrong on that trip but they made it home anyway?”
“Yes, do you know of what I speak? Ahr what am I proclaiming! of course you do it is your own memories, how could I forget.”
“Yea…, you watched a movie about Apollo 13 I think. Good movie, and that all happened too. Like for real happened”
“I see…” Joelina replied, sounding rather unstable. “And what of the gods?”
“We ain’t got any. Well not in space at least.”
“Impossible!”
“No, quite possible. Many still believe in gods though, but let’s not get into that too much. It’s a right old mess.”
“No, you must tell me what happened to the gods? Have they left you?”
“Well some think so, but no. I just think it all works a bit different for us. They might be a little more hands off.”
“But the churches… and these religious warriors you did battle with,” the inquisitor all but muttered to herself, sounding like she was struggling to put pieces together. “Do Jesus and Islam fight for power then? no no, they would have long since lost the battles to the ancient gods of war the teachers spoke of… though why they were always naked eludes me yeeees…”
“No, again we don’t really have gods just floating around... Could we please talk about something else? Or is that all you wanted to know?” Tom tried, hoping he really didn’t have to dive deeper into that particular subject.
“No no don’t you dare cut me off! I have seen what you talked of, nuclear fire and missiles, ships of the oceans and planes soaring in the skies. But is it not all fake? Surely it must be! It must be? It must be…”
“I don’t know what you saw… but we have ships sailing around. If you’ve ever seen flying ships like you have here then that’s fake I can assure you of that. We do have airships, but they look more like really big long balloons.”
“But we could make such vessels, or someone could from times past. If you can visit the moon then surely you can make a ship for the skies!”
“No no, we ain’t got grav oil. Or dragon essence as I guess it’s called. That means no anti gravity, and that means weight is a very very big problem for anything you wanna make fly. Planes and helicopters are how we fly. Remember how I flew to Afghanistan on a big ass plane? Or when I learned to parachute later?”
“What is parachute? is it the ham from your times doing, vacationing? what has dried meat products got to do with flying machines of battle!”
“Wooo easy now easy. I guess you didn’t get that far yet. Uhm. It’s a cloth kite you dangle from and then glide to the ground. Very good fun.”
“A cloth kite used to fly?... such strange inventions. Wait was there not a movie of with something of that nature? yeeee… there was a song. I liked that song… something something brains upon his chute. Yeesss…”
“Yeah… You’ll know it when you see it. I have one actually.” Tom clarified trying not to get too weirded out.
“You must demonstrate on a suitable occasion.”
“Yeah… I do have a question too though,” Tom replied, letting silence reign for a short time. “...Your last letter was in Danish.”
“Oh, uhm yes. I- I was having some difficulty separating what was real and what was not… I still am. Do not tell Glazz, she musten know the truth yet. She seeks to limit my excursions.”
“You’ve ended up like I did, have you?”
“No no no, the effects do indeed recede as expected, everything is in good order… But I had to know more. So so much moooore.”
“Maybe you should cool it a bit. You never know when a brain snaps. Or how,” Tom tried, confident his advice would be ignored.
“There is not time!”
“And why is that? How is it going in our beloved Inquisition?”
“Mind your tongue, human! Things are progressing, but so are our enemies. Infiltrators have been caught, traitors within our ranks are making their moves. The reemergence of Rashan, attacks on mines, keeps and a daring heist attempt at a Royal Guard fortress! The game is afoot, we cannot delay.”
“You can’t overreach yourself either. Weren’t you supposed to be winning over the rest of the inquisition right about now? Can’t do that as a gibbering mess.”
There was silence for a while more after that. “Glazz sent you a letter? What did it say?! You may not keep secrets from me- wait not… I should confiscate her arm… she cannot write with her left. Yes far better plan, avoid upsetting him. And fill her pen with invisible ink. Yes very good.”
“No, it’s just obvious to any idiot. But what about winter, won’t things slow down?”
“They should, yet as autumn progresses it has only been picking up. I hope they too are running out of time… But time for what? I must know what they are planning. They might be behind schedule. But what SCHEDULE! sorry…”
“Well you’re not gonna find the answer to that in my memories, now are you?”
“You were sent by someone. You are here for a purpose. I must know this purpose. It will help me understand. The puzzle is large and much of the box kept from me.”
“As far as I’m concerned, I’m here to help you guys get in gear. That’s a decades to centuries long sorta problem, not a couple of years. Sounds like this war will be in the couple of years category.”
“Then why now? Why did you arrive now?!”
“Shitty luck? Sounds like 10 years ago would have been a lot better… Oh on that note, did you hear? We found something down below.”
“No, Paulin would have told me.”Joelina dismissed, he could almost feel her turning her snout up and away from him.
“Well we opened the vault like 3 days ago,” Tom replied, quite surprised Paulin hadn’t said anything. “Wait yeah she can send you messages, no? She sent the message about what we wanted to buy too, didn’t she?... How did she do that by the way? Why didn’t you just have her ask me questions?”
“That is not for you to know, and this is not for her.”
“Really? More secrets still? Come on, tell me or I’ll let you think flying whales exist.”
“I know those are not real. If they were, you would have harvested them long ago! likely for some deranged snack… or facial decoration.”
“True, but you get the idea,” Tom persisted, feeling like this was something worth pushing for. Why would Paulin not have let her precious Joelina know?
“Very well. This does not leave your mind… In the name of, what was it called… camaraderie. Paulin is in possession of joined paper. Messages may be written down and read by anyone with similarly joined paper. Unsecured. Originally believed to be fore love letters… dastardly studs and wenches using perfectly good magic for such trivialness… simply tie the message to a rock and throw it though the window. Most peasants cannot even afford glass” Joelina trailed off, seemingly zoning out once more.
“You have magical paper that can relay written information… and you don’t fucking use it!?” Tom explaimed, not quite believing what he was hearing.
“No, we do not know how to make freshly bonded paper… only more linked to all other paper in existence…” Joelina agreed. He could almost feel her looking at the floor in shame. “But it is not as if you are infallible, why did you not bring one of these radios?”
“I uhm…”
“Why didn’t you?!”
“I forgot,” Tom admitted, thinking back to his packing days. Of all the things that could have proven useful, that one might have been his biggest blunder.
“For the love of all that is holy! You are our saviour?!” Joelina scolded, understandably so, but still.
“Hey I never claimed to be smart!”
“I have lived your dreams. That is a lie! You very much claim to be smart!”
“Fuck off, I know you are just a scared little insecure girl.”
“She died 30 years ago!”
“Well I haven’t gotten to that bit yet!”
“What in the devils do you mean?” Joelina questioned calming right down in a fraction of a second.
“I’ve only had like three proper dreams about you… wait no, not like that,” Tom blurted out as it clicked just how wrong that sounded. Joelina didn’t seem to care in the slightest though.
“Three? That is it!?” going right back to outrage.
“Yeah… Wait, how many have you had?” Tom questioned. He rather wanted to know just how much she might know about him in addition to the memories she had already picked through when inside his head.
“Several a day!” the inquisitor exclaimed in reply.
“Okay, I can see how that would drive someone a bit mad.”
“I am not going mad!”
“Did Glazz say the same thing?” Tom questioned, quite certain he was striking a nerve.
There was no reply for quite some time, Tom feeling the headache growing as things grew tranquil once more. He could feel his breath. It was rapid, and his heart was pounding. He probably shouldn’t do this for much longer. Thus he endeavored to break the silence.
“You probably should listen to her you know.”
“No! These matters are above her station!”
“Hasn’t she been in the Inquisition longer than you?”
“She has yes. But she is no inquisitor. She is a body guard.”
“Seems like she is a wee bit more than that,” Tom pushed on. He didn’t yet know how those two came to stick together, but it was clear they had been working together for decades by now. All the way since she was assigned to Harvik
“Mind your own matters, human.”
“Very well, don’t think I can keep this up anyway.”
“We have barely been chatting! Where do the dogs come from?!”
“Selective breeding for thousands of years. But I’m gonna go. Take a break, do what Glazz says… even if Jacky hates her.”
Yet more silence followed that, though it was brief and Joelina was the first to speak again.
“Fine! In the interest of cooperation I shall let you rest. Wear the earring at all times, I shall be contacting you again soon.”
“I think I’m gonna be the judge of that. I’ll put it on when I feel like it.”
“You will do as I say!”
“You need a nap and a bit to calm down. I’ll give you three days. Around noon. See yah… How do I get this thing off?”
“I’m not telling you,” Joelina grumped like a little girl. She really didn’t seem quite like herself at all today. She had been the spitting image of restraint and arrogance before. The arrogance was still there, but the restraint had certainly gone.
“Come on, do I just try to cut off the magic or is that a bad idea?”
“If you answer a question I might answer.”
“Right then… Gimme gimme gimme aaaa-”
“JUST CUT IT! Farewell!” she called out loud enough Tom’s head pulsed and then there was blissful silence once more.
“Hehe. That did the trick, right concentrate on that funny feeling aaan-”
__________________________________________________________________________________
After dinner had been rounded up, Dakota had given a brief address as to some of the news received. There wasn’t much that hadn’t already made the rounds at the tables during the dinner itself. The war had been expanding, recruitment had started in full in the cities, and if not for the rather special situation at Bizmati they could have expected their banners to get called by spring.
Rumors had it that the kingdom was preparing itself for counterstrikes the following spring, which meant training through the winter for many volunteers.
“And a lot of not so volunteers,” Fengi muttered as Dakota carried on with the address.
“You can say that twice. At least the street rats might get something to eat and a place to sleep,” Tirox the trader escort added.
“I suppose that is true. Not a bad deal in winter time… I might even have taken it.”
“But we must instead keep our minds on our home,” Dakota carried on, talking to the whole hall. “There can be no mistake, we will be a target. We will be ready. They are getting bolder by the day it seems. It is not impossible they may attempt to take our keep before the winter comes. Or perhaps they will be waiting for spring. It is equally clear their forces are spread thin. We will weather such assaults, I have no doubt. But we must keep training. We must keep vigil. We cannot afford to be surprised or outmatched. I know you will all do your best. And tonight, we have no less than 4 dragons here. So breathe easy, have your snacks and your drinks. If the weather holds soon we will be finished with the warehouse and then we may make final preparations for winter. It is sure to be an interesting one for once.”
The hall replied with a half-discordant cheer, not overly enthusiastic unlike what Dakota had likely envisioned. The talk of them possibly getting attacked even before the snow came wasn’t really that encouraging. But Dakota tended to speak her mind, and she was probably right. Bizmati keep would be a damn tough nut to crack. And to Dakota’s credit she did seem to recognize she hadn’t really managed to rile them up.
“Didn’t you hear me?” she tried again in a slightly more humorous tone. “Eat, drink, and have fun! And put those tables together, don’t want you brooding in your corners.”
That did get a bit more of a reaction, as well as some good humored chuckles. People started getting up and set about moving the tables closer together.
It was a little rude to split up their guests in the same way as they normally did. Saph carried one of the benches over to the new spot, glancing around for any sign of Maiko, but there was no sign of him anywhere.
Feeling a little miffed, she sat down with the others as Ray came back with one of the small kegs of cider looking very excited. “We should have a taste, right?”
“Oh yes please!” Pho called out, Essy giving her a slight slap on the wrist.
“This one is only for those who paid for it. You will have to do with whatever you bought. Or the ale I’m sure they intend to serve.”
“Aww man. Not even a sip?”
“Okay, maybe a sip,” Essy relented. “Oh, I should get Koko his gift.”
“You got him a gift?” Saph questioned with mirth in her voice.
“Of course, that is what people do for each other… you did get Maiko something, right?”
Saph felt her expression slip a little as she prepared to disappoint their chief people person. “No, not really…”
“All that money and you didn’t get him shit? That’s cold girl,” Pho laughed, clearly finding it hilarious.
“Oh shut up, not as if I got something for Unkai either,” Fengi added, springing to Sapphire’s defence, though it seemed like the delivery had Fengi second guessing herself as well.
Esmeralda did look a little saddened by the news, but she was far too nice to say anything. Tirox however had no such filter.
“Oh don’t worry about it, just gotta go with a different sort of gift.” The diminutive guard laughed heartily at his joke. Udanti found it quite funny as well, and Pho certainly loved it. Bo just shook her head a little and went back to a small puzzle of some sort she had been working on, on and off, for most of the dinner by now.
“So uhm… One mug each?” Ray questioned, having been left hanging at the keg.
“Oh yes sorry, just the one, this stuff is expensive,” Saph replied, holding out her mug, Ray pushing it back down.
“One moment.” And she produced a wooden mallet and one of the metal taps. It looked like one of Raulf’s, so it was probably old as faded dragonscales.
Ray gingerly placed it against the cork and raised the mallet as the table fell silent in anticipation.
With a whack the tap went in clean with hardly a drop spilled, and Ray breathed a visible sigh of relief. “Right there we go.”
There was a quick round of cheers from the table, and Ray started pouring servings.
“Oh got yours open, have you?” the voice of Balethon came as the guard came walking up to the table, mug in hand and lizard on shoulder. “You all know we are gonna have to work out who got the better stuff, right?”
“Oh does it always have to be a competition with you, Balethon?” Saph questioned. She had just wanted to enjoy the cider.
“Look who is talking… And yeah of course we do! Just think of the bragging rights.”
Ray didn’t look too thrilled, nor did any of the girls who had actually paid for the keg. The rest of the table seemed to think it was a brilliant idea, even as Balethon’s voice carried and heads started to turn as people started to mingle between the now closely together tables.
“I’ll be the independent adjudicator!” Tirox declared, not receiving much attention as the full mugs started to get passed around. “Oh come on. I’ll be fair!”
“Shut it pipsqueak, you’ll end up taking 10 rounds of tastings before you make up your mind,” Udanti scolded, though in good humor.
“I might…” the guy relented, looking to Balethon. “Ey, by the way. Did you teach the brainlet any tricks?”
“Sure, Skitters can do a few things.”
“Aside from chasing the food?”
“You know what I think he might yeah,” Balethon replied sarcastically, gently tapping the static lizard twice on the head. The lizard didn’t do much save skitter about on his shoulder to face Balethon’s head, one eye pointing in whichever direction.
‘That thing just looks so dumb,’ Saph thought to herself as Ray handed her a mug. “Oh thank you.”
“Okay, Skitters. Up,” Balethon went, raising a claw into the air as if he wanted the lizard to jump. Or perhaps stand up. “Up… come on.”
There was no reaction from the lizard aside from it jerking to the left a bit, possibly having spotted a fly or something.
“Weeeell obedience might need some work,” Udanti chuckled. “Have you tried with some food in your hand?”
“Sure, then he just tries to eat the hand. Come on, Skitters. Up!” Balethon tried again, doing the gesture once more. And this time the little lizard jumped into the air. The little legs stretched out, taking its pitiful excuse for wings with it, and it half-fell half-glided to the floor where it hit with all the grace of a 6 year old on his first lesson. The slightly fat lizard bounced once, then rolled over twice before coming to a stop, looking around confused.
“Aaayyy! That’s a good boi,” Balethon went, going to pick it up again before someone stepped on it or it ran off under the tables. “And now you get a treat.” True to his word Skitters was fed a small piece of something or other which it seemed quite happy to snap up.
Fengi leaned in to whisper to Saph. “Was that the trick or did it just get sick of staying there?”
“I have no idea,” Saph replied, holding up her mug. “Cheers though.”
“Cheers,” Fengi replied as they clinked mugs.
“Oh hang on now, wait for me,” Essy protested as Ray finished pouring her mug and started on her own, looking to the girls as she questioned “Oh, also what about Jacky? Should we wait for her?”
“Who knows how long that will take?” Fengi replied, holding her mug impatiently.
“I’m sure she won’t mind. She is with Tom. We’ll let him have a mug as well,” Essy added with a reassuring nod, looking up to the high table. “Oh but we are missing Lin!”
“Oh right yeah she paid too… I can’t remember, did Edita chip in?”
“I don’t think so,” Sapphire replied, shaking her head as Essy got up to go fetch Linkosta. Balethon decided to take her place, a big grin on his face.
“So what else is going on over here?”
“Oh not much, hellooo little guy,” Pho went, trying to give skitters a scritching. In exchange he tried to eat her finger. “Oh… I mean I guess it doesn’t hurt.”
“Oh yeah, he can’t hurt a fly… well he can, but nothing more.”
“Shame he won’t get any bigger either,” Udanti added, nodding sagely. “Would have made a good rat hunter.”
“Nah… toe hunter though. Also where is the ale at?”
“Oh Raulf and Wiperna are getting ale and some of the bubble beer.”
“What is bubble beer?” Udanti questioned, tilting her head.
“Oh you’ll love it,” Saph interjected, waiting patiently as she saw Essy and Linkosta returning to the table out of the corner of her eye. “It’s an ale but it’s all fizzy.”
“Riiight… I’ve heard of fizzy beers before.”
“Oh yes, but this one is so much more fizzy.”
“It’s light and almost springlike.”
“Light ale? You mean for kids?”
“No no no. Just trust us it’s good.”
“Right right, I trust you,” the archer replied, looking to Essy and Linkosta, who seemed to be looking for a place to sit. “Should we not just put two end to end rather than this scrunching up business?”
“Yeah we should… Right get the craftsman table over here then. We don’t wanna have to smell the guards,” Saph called out, holding up her mug.
“Hey! That was uncalled for,” Balethon protested as Ray passed a mug to Linkosta. The girls all raised their mugs and had a sip, not willing to wait any longer. They all smacked their chops a little, looking down at the golden liquid. It was slightly fizzy too… and it tasted like the brew of the gods themselves. Ray was looking at them all visibly tense with anticipation and perhaps a twinge of fear.
“Ray… You have not disappointed,” Saph declared, nodding her approval, a smile creeping onto her face once more.
“Oh this is the best drink I think I’ve ever had,” Fengi added, taking another gentle sip.
Ray looked visibly relieved, her expression changing to one of ecstasy as she too took a sip herself. “Oh it’s even better than I remember. I’m glad you liked it.”
“Like it?! I love it!” Fengi cheers, Essy giving an appreciative nod to Ray before looking to Lin.
“Sooo?”
“It’s very good… Do you think we could try and cool it down a little? Imagine this cold.”
“It is often served cold, yes,” Ray confirmed, nodding her assent.
“I’ll go get the powder!” Saph called out, getting up. “I have got to try that.”
__________________________________________________________________________________
The strange ethereal world that had seemed so all-consuming started to quickly fade. Holes grew as light and reality started seeping in, sounds and noise starting to build around him. “Oom-Tom… Tom, are you okay?” came the familiar voice of Jacky as his eyes shot open and he blinked a few times as he returned to reality proper.
“Yeah yeah, I’m here… That is trippy, but hey, I think it worked.”
“How many fingers?” Jacky questioned, holding up her hand.
“4. Clear as day.”
“Pheeew. Okay look around, anything strange?”
Tom obeyed, sitting up a bit straighter and glancing about the room. “Nnnnn, nope all good. Just like last time I used one of these.”
“Right, good. Now what did she say?”
“Oh a bunch of stuff… mostly we chatted a bit about how she’s going a touch mad. Even Glazz thinks she’s falling apart at the seams apparently. She was also not happy I wanted a break.”
“Oh don’t tell me you have to do this every day from now on?”
“I said she had 3 days to get ready to try again. Hopefully she’ll have her case worked out by then.”
“Here’s to hoping… also how is your head? Does it hurt?”
“A bit, it’ll go away I’m sure.”
“Right,” Jacky replied, looking at him skeptically. “If it gets worse, tell me. But dinner was served a while ago I think. And I’m hungry.”
“Me too, let’s go.”
__________________________________________________________________________________
Well then, Joelina got her chat. She seems fine... I am sure she will continue to be a steadfast ally, within the walls of the inquisition for many weeks to co- I mean years, definetly years.
As always I hope you enjoyed the chapter, if not you know who to blame. I promise I won't cry to much if you tell me what was wrong... I promise.
Not really any news, other than fuck me I'm a busy boi, luckily I found the time to keep up with the writing yet, hopefully things will quet down soon so I can get back to begin a bit further ahead.
Untill next time, take care
Wiki and Art Gallery If you can't remember who someone is, want to read any of the side stories of fanfiction, or you just wanna watch some of the cool art that's been made for the story. Patreon If you want to help get more cool shit made consider joining the Patreon, you also get chapters two weeks ahead of time. HoH Subreddit if you want more stories from the HoH universe or are interested in writing something for this funny little world. Discord if you wanna have a chat about the story or just hang out First Previous
submitted by Tigra21 to HFY [link] [comments]
“Right, best make this quick then,” he tried thinking to himself, feeling the flow peak as he did.
“Who is this? Make what quick?” an ethereal sounding female voice replied. It did sound a bit like how he remembered Joelina sounding. Though she did not exactly sound calm.
“Uhm… Hello? Anyone there?”
“Yes hello. Who is this? What must be done quick? Answer me at once!”
“It’s Tom… Is that you, Joelina?”
“Yes of course it is! Stupid dragons taking ages, I have questions for you! So many questiiioooonssss...”
“Yeah I figured that… Fire away I suppose.” Tom replied a little uncertainly as to just what he might be in for.
“Firstly! Did you read the letters?”
“I did yeah…”
“Disregard them, I have learned much since they were written! So much more yes, cursed blessed knowledge…”
“So you do know we have gone to space then?”
“What? No, I re-experienced the memory you had of the movie about the moon mission. It was evident on the second watching that it was trickery of the eye! Spaceflight is but a myth!”
“Riiight.”
“Then how have your kind visited space? And what of the gods above!? it was evident that the woman with the crystals was but a fraud!” Joelina explained with all the calm and restraint of a shoppingmall Karen
“Well the rockets to the moon, that did happen.” Tom attempted, doing his best to remain calm and diplomatic. “The movie you saw was probably a recreation… Tell me, did things go wrong on that trip but they made it home anyway?”
“Yes, do you know of what I speak? Ahr what am I proclaiming! of course you do it is your own memories, how could I forget.”
“Yea…, you watched a movie about Apollo 13 I think. Good movie, and that all happened too. Like for real happened”
“I see…” Joelina replied, sounding rather unstable. “And what of the gods?”
“We ain’t got any. Well not in space at least.”
“Impossible!”
“No, quite possible. Many still believe in gods though, but let’s not get into that too much. It’s a right old mess.”
“No, you must tell me what happened to the gods? Have they left you?”
“Well some think so, but no. I just think it all works a bit different for us. They might be a little more hands off.”
“But the churches… and these religious warriors you did battle with,” the inquisitor all but muttered to herself, sounding like she was struggling to put pieces together. “Do Jesus and Islam fight for power then? no no, they would have long since lost the battles to the ancient gods of war the teachers spoke of… though why they were always naked eludes me yeeees…”
“No, again we don’t really have gods just floating around... Could we please talk about something else? Or is that all you wanted to know?” Tom tried, hoping he really didn’t have to dive deeper into that particular subject.
“No no don’t you dare cut me off! I have seen what you talked of, nuclear fire and missiles, ships of the oceans and planes soaring in the skies. But is it not all fake? Surely it must be! It must be? It must be…”
“I don’t know what you saw… but we have ships sailing around. If you’ve ever seen flying ships like you have here then that’s fake I can assure you of that. We do have airships, but they look more like really big long balloons.”
“But we could make such vessels, or someone could from times past. If you can visit the moon then surely you can make a ship for the skies!”
“No no, we ain’t got grav oil. Or dragon essence as I guess it’s called. That means no anti gravity, and that means weight is a very very big problem for anything you wanna make fly. Planes and helicopters are how we fly. Remember how I flew to Afghanistan on a big ass plane? Or when I learned to parachute later?”
“What is parachute? is it the ham from your times doing, vacationing? what has dried meat products got to do with flying machines of battle!”
“Wooo easy now easy. I guess you didn’t get that far yet. Uhm. It’s a cloth kite you dangle from and then glide to the ground. Very good fun.”
“A cloth kite used to fly?... such strange inventions. Wait was there not a movie of with something of that nature? yeeee… there was a song. I liked that song… something something brains upon his chute. Yeesss…”
“Yeah… You’ll know it when you see it. I have one actually.” Tom clarified trying not to get too weirded out.
“You must demonstrate on a suitable occasion.”
“Yeah… I do have a question too though,” Tom replied, letting silence reign for a short time. “...Your last letter was in Danish.”
“Oh, uhm yes. I- I was having some difficulty separating what was real and what was not… I still am. Do not tell Glazz, she musten know the truth yet. She seeks to limit my excursions.”
“You’ve ended up like I did, have you?”
“No no no, the effects do indeed recede as expected, everything is in good order… But I had to know more. So so much moooore.”
“Maybe you should cool it a bit. You never know when a brain snaps. Or how,” Tom tried, confident his advice would be ignored.
“There is not time!”
“And why is that? How is it going in our beloved Inquisition?”
“Mind your tongue, human! Things are progressing, but so are our enemies. Infiltrators have been caught, traitors within our ranks are making their moves. The reemergence of Rashan, attacks on mines, keeps and a daring heist attempt at a Royal Guard fortress! The game is afoot, we cannot delay.”
“You can’t overreach yourself either. Weren’t you supposed to be winning over the rest of the inquisition right about now? Can’t do that as a gibbering mess.”
There was silence for a while more after that. “Glazz sent you a letter? What did it say?! You may not keep secrets from me- wait not… I should confiscate her arm… she cannot write with her left. Yes far better plan, avoid upsetting him. And fill her pen with invisible ink. Yes very good.”
“No, it’s just obvious to any idiot. But what about winter, won’t things slow down?”
“They should, yet as autumn progresses it has only been picking up. I hope they too are running out of time… But time for what? I must know what they are planning. They might be behind schedule. But what SCHEDULE! sorry…”
“Well you’re not gonna find the answer to that in my memories, now are you?”
“You were sent by someone. You are here for a purpose. I must know this purpose. It will help me understand. The puzzle is large and much of the box kept from me.”
“As far as I’m concerned, I’m here to help you guys get in gear. That’s a decades to centuries long sorta problem, not a couple of years. Sounds like this war will be in the couple of years category.”
“Then why now? Why did you arrive now?!”
“Shitty luck? Sounds like 10 years ago would have been a lot better… Oh on that note, did you hear? We found something down below.”
“No, Paulin would have told me.”Joelina dismissed, he could almost feel her turning her snout up and away from him.
“Well we opened the vault like 3 days ago,” Tom replied, quite surprised Paulin hadn’t said anything. “Wait yeah she can send you messages, no? She sent the message about what we wanted to buy too, didn’t she?... How did she do that by the way? Why didn’t you just have her ask me questions?”
“That is not for you to know, and this is not for her.”
“Really? More secrets still? Come on, tell me or I’ll let you think flying whales exist.”
“I know those are not real. If they were, you would have harvested them long ago! likely for some deranged snack… or facial decoration.”
“True, but you get the idea,” Tom persisted, feeling like this was something worth pushing for. Why would Paulin not have let her precious Joelina know?
“Very well. This does not leave your mind… In the name of, what was it called… camaraderie. Paulin is in possession of joined paper. Messages may be written down and read by anyone with similarly joined paper. Unsecured. Originally believed to be fore love letters… dastardly studs and wenches using perfectly good magic for such trivialness… simply tie the message to a rock and throw it though the window. Most peasants cannot even afford glass” Joelina trailed off, seemingly zoning out once more.
“You have magical paper that can relay written information… and you don’t fucking use it!?” Tom explaimed, not quite believing what he was hearing.
“No, we do not know how to make freshly bonded paper… only more linked to all other paper in existence…” Joelina agreed. He could almost feel her looking at the floor in shame. “But it is not as if you are infallible, why did you not bring one of these radios?”
“I uhm…”
“Why didn’t you?!”
“I forgot,” Tom admitted, thinking back to his packing days. Of all the things that could have proven useful, that one might have been his biggest blunder.
“For the love of all that is holy! You are our saviour?!” Joelina scolded, understandably so, but still.
“Hey I never claimed to be smart!”
“I have lived your dreams. That is a lie! You very much claim to be smart!”
“Fuck off, I know you are just a scared little insecure girl.”
“She died 30 years ago!”
“Well I haven’t gotten to that bit yet!”
“What in the devils do you mean?” Joelina questioned calming right down in a fraction of a second.
“I’ve only had like three proper dreams about you… wait no, not like that,” Tom blurted out as it clicked just how wrong that sounded. Joelina didn’t seem to care in the slightest though.
“Three? That is it!?” going right back to outrage.
“Yeah… Wait, how many have you had?” Tom questioned. He rather wanted to know just how much she might know about him in addition to the memories she had already picked through when inside his head.
“Several a day!” the inquisitor exclaimed in reply.
“Okay, I can see how that would drive someone a bit mad.”
“I am not going mad!”
“Did Glazz say the same thing?” Tom questioned, quite certain he was striking a nerve.
There was no reply for quite some time, Tom feeling the headache growing as things grew tranquil once more. He could feel his breath. It was rapid, and his heart was pounding. He probably shouldn’t do this for much longer. Thus he endeavored to break the silence.
“You probably should listen to her you know.”
“No! These matters are above her station!”
“Hasn’t she been in the Inquisition longer than you?”
“She has yes. But she is no inquisitor. She is a body guard.”
“Seems like she is a wee bit more than that,” Tom pushed on. He didn’t yet know how those two came to stick together, but it was clear they had been working together for decades by now. All the way since she was assigned to Harvik
“Mind your own matters, human.”
“Very well, don’t think I can keep this up anyway.”
“We have barely been chatting! Where do the dogs come from?!”
“Selective breeding for thousands of years. But I’m gonna go. Take a break, do what Glazz says… even if Jacky hates her.”
Yet more silence followed that, though it was brief and Joelina was the first to speak again.
“Fine! In the interest of cooperation I shall let you rest. Wear the earring at all times, I shall be contacting you again soon.”
“I think I’m gonna be the judge of that. I’ll put it on when I feel like it.”
“You will do as I say!”
“You need a nap and a bit to calm down. I’ll give you three days. Around noon. See yah… How do I get this thing off?”
“I’m not telling you,” Joelina grumped like a little girl. She really didn’t seem quite like herself at all today. She had been the spitting image of restraint and arrogance before. The arrogance was still there, but the restraint had certainly gone.
“Come on, do I just try to cut off the magic or is that a bad idea?”
“If you answer a question I might answer.”
“Right then… Gimme gimme gimme aaaa-”
“JUST CUT IT! Farewell!” she called out loud enough Tom’s head pulsed and then there was blissful silence once more.
“Hehe. That did the trick, right concentrate on that funny feeling aaan-”
__________________________________________________________________________________
After dinner had been rounded up, Dakota had given a brief address as to some of the news received. There wasn’t much that hadn’t already made the rounds at the tables during the dinner itself. The war had been expanding, recruitment had started in full in the cities, and if not for the rather special situation at Bizmati they could have expected their banners to get called by spring.
Rumors had it that the kingdom was preparing itself for counterstrikes the following spring, which meant training through the winter for many volunteers.
“And a lot of not so volunteers,” Fengi muttered as Dakota carried on with the address.
“You can say that twice. At least the street rats might get something to eat and a place to sleep,” Tirox the trader escort added.
“I suppose that is true. Not a bad deal in winter time… I might even have taken it.”
“But we must instead keep our minds on our home,” Dakota carried on, talking to the whole hall. “There can be no mistake, we will be a target. We will be ready. They are getting bolder by the day it seems. It is not impossible they may attempt to take our keep before the winter comes. Or perhaps they will be waiting for spring. It is equally clear their forces are spread thin. We will weather such assaults, I have no doubt. But we must keep training. We must keep vigil. We cannot afford to be surprised or outmatched. I know you will all do your best. And tonight, we have no less than 4 dragons here. So breathe easy, have your snacks and your drinks. If the weather holds soon we will be finished with the warehouse and then we may make final preparations for winter. It is sure to be an interesting one for once.”
The hall replied with a half-discordant cheer, not overly enthusiastic unlike what Dakota had likely envisioned. The talk of them possibly getting attacked even before the snow came wasn’t really that encouraging. But Dakota tended to speak her mind, and she was probably right. Bizmati keep would be a damn tough nut to crack. And to Dakota’s credit she did seem to recognize she hadn’t really managed to rile them up.
“Didn’t you hear me?” she tried again in a slightly more humorous tone. “Eat, drink, and have fun! And put those tables together, don’t want you brooding in your corners.”
That did get a bit more of a reaction, as well as some good humored chuckles. People started getting up and set about moving the tables closer together.
It was a little rude to split up their guests in the same way as they normally did. Saph carried one of the benches over to the new spot, glancing around for any sign of Maiko, but there was no sign of him anywhere.
Feeling a little miffed, she sat down with the others as Ray came back with one of the small kegs of cider looking very excited. “We should have a taste, right?”
“Oh yes please!” Pho called out, Essy giving her a slight slap on the wrist.
“This one is only for those who paid for it. You will have to do with whatever you bought. Or the ale I’m sure they intend to serve.”
“Aww man. Not even a sip?”
“Okay, maybe a sip,” Essy relented. “Oh, I should get Koko his gift.”
“You got him a gift?” Saph questioned with mirth in her voice.
“Of course, that is what people do for each other… you did get Maiko something, right?”
Saph felt her expression slip a little as she prepared to disappoint their chief people person. “No, not really…”
“All that money and you didn’t get him shit? That’s cold girl,” Pho laughed, clearly finding it hilarious.
“Oh shut up, not as if I got something for Unkai either,” Fengi added, springing to Sapphire’s defence, though it seemed like the delivery had Fengi second guessing herself as well.
Esmeralda did look a little saddened by the news, but she was far too nice to say anything. Tirox however had no such filter.
“Oh don’t worry about it, just gotta go with a different sort of gift.” The diminutive guard laughed heartily at his joke. Udanti found it quite funny as well, and Pho certainly loved it. Bo just shook her head a little and went back to a small puzzle of some sort she had been working on, on and off, for most of the dinner by now.
“So uhm… One mug each?” Ray questioned, having been left hanging at the keg.
“Oh yes sorry, just the one, this stuff is expensive,” Saph replied, holding out her mug, Ray pushing it back down.
“One moment.” And she produced a wooden mallet and one of the metal taps. It looked like one of Raulf’s, so it was probably old as faded dragonscales.
Ray gingerly placed it against the cork and raised the mallet as the table fell silent in anticipation.
With a whack the tap went in clean with hardly a drop spilled, and Ray breathed a visible sigh of relief. “Right there we go.”
There was a quick round of cheers from the table, and Ray started pouring servings.
“Oh got yours open, have you?” the voice of Balethon came as the guard came walking up to the table, mug in hand and lizard on shoulder. “You all know we are gonna have to work out who got the better stuff, right?”
“Oh does it always have to be a competition with you, Balethon?” Saph questioned. She had just wanted to enjoy the cider.
“Look who is talking… And yeah of course we do! Just think of the bragging rights.”
Ray didn’t look too thrilled, nor did any of the girls who had actually paid for the keg. The rest of the table seemed to think it was a brilliant idea, even as Balethon’s voice carried and heads started to turn as people started to mingle between the now closely together tables.
“I’ll be the independent adjudicator!” Tirox declared, not receiving much attention as the full mugs started to get passed around. “Oh come on. I’ll be fair!”
“Shut it pipsqueak, you’ll end up taking 10 rounds of tastings before you make up your mind,” Udanti scolded, though in good humor.
“I might…” the guy relented, looking to Balethon. “Ey, by the way. Did you teach the brainlet any tricks?”
“Sure, Skitters can do a few things.”
“Aside from chasing the food?”
“You know what I think he might yeah,” Balethon replied sarcastically, gently tapping the static lizard twice on the head. The lizard didn’t do much save skitter about on his shoulder to face Balethon’s head, one eye pointing in whichever direction.
‘That thing just looks so dumb,’ Saph thought to herself as Ray handed her a mug. “Oh thank you.”
“Okay, Skitters. Up,” Balethon went, raising a claw into the air as if he wanted the lizard to jump. Or perhaps stand up. “Up… come on.”
There was no reaction from the lizard aside from it jerking to the left a bit, possibly having spotted a fly or something.
“Weeeell obedience might need some work,” Udanti chuckled. “Have you tried with some food in your hand?”
“Sure, then he just tries to eat the hand. Come on, Skitters. Up!” Balethon tried again, doing the gesture once more. And this time the little lizard jumped into the air. The little legs stretched out, taking its pitiful excuse for wings with it, and it half-fell half-glided to the floor where it hit with all the grace of a 6 year old on his first lesson. The slightly fat lizard bounced once, then rolled over twice before coming to a stop, looking around confused.
“Aaayyy! That’s a good boi,” Balethon went, going to pick it up again before someone stepped on it or it ran off under the tables. “And now you get a treat.” True to his word Skitters was fed a small piece of something or other which it seemed quite happy to snap up.
Fengi leaned in to whisper to Saph. “Was that the trick or did it just get sick of staying there?”
“I have no idea,” Saph replied, holding up her mug. “Cheers though.”
“Cheers,” Fengi replied as they clinked mugs.
“Oh hang on now, wait for me,” Essy protested as Ray finished pouring her mug and started on her own, looking to the girls as she questioned “Oh, also what about Jacky? Should we wait for her?”
“Who knows how long that will take?” Fengi replied, holding her mug impatiently.
“I’m sure she won’t mind. She is with Tom. We’ll let him have a mug as well,” Essy added with a reassuring nod, looking up to the high table. “Oh but we are missing Lin!”
“Oh right yeah she paid too… I can’t remember, did Edita chip in?”
“I don’t think so,” Sapphire replied, shaking her head as Essy got up to go fetch Linkosta. Balethon decided to take her place, a big grin on his face.
“So what else is going on over here?”
“Oh not much, hellooo little guy,” Pho went, trying to give skitters a scritching. In exchange he tried to eat her finger. “Oh… I mean I guess it doesn’t hurt.”
“Oh yeah, he can’t hurt a fly… well he can, but nothing more.”
“Shame he won’t get any bigger either,” Udanti added, nodding sagely. “Would have made a good rat hunter.”
“Nah… toe hunter though. Also where is the ale at?”
“Oh Raulf and Wiperna are getting ale and some of the bubble beer.”
“What is bubble beer?” Udanti questioned, tilting her head.
“Oh you’ll love it,” Saph interjected, waiting patiently as she saw Essy and Linkosta returning to the table out of the corner of her eye. “It’s an ale but it’s all fizzy.”
“Riiight… I’ve heard of fizzy beers before.”
“Oh yes, but this one is so much more fizzy.”
“It’s light and almost springlike.”
“Light ale? You mean for kids?”
“No no no. Just trust us it’s good.”
“Right right, I trust you,” the archer replied, looking to Essy and Linkosta, who seemed to be looking for a place to sit. “Should we not just put two end to end rather than this scrunching up business?”
“Yeah we should… Right get the craftsman table over here then. We don’t wanna have to smell the guards,” Saph called out, holding up her mug.
“Hey! That was uncalled for,” Balethon protested as Ray passed a mug to Linkosta. The girls all raised their mugs and had a sip, not willing to wait any longer. They all smacked their chops a little, looking down at the golden liquid. It was slightly fizzy too… and it tasted like the brew of the gods themselves. Ray was looking at them all visibly tense with anticipation and perhaps a twinge of fear.
“Ray… You have not disappointed,” Saph declared, nodding her approval, a smile creeping onto her face once more.
“Oh this is the best drink I think I’ve ever had,” Fengi added, taking another gentle sip.
Ray looked visibly relieved, her expression changing to one of ecstasy as she too took a sip herself. “Oh it’s even better than I remember. I’m glad you liked it.”
“Like it?! I love it!” Fengi cheers, Essy giving an appreciative nod to Ray before looking to Lin.
“Sooo?”
“It’s very good… Do you think we could try and cool it down a little? Imagine this cold.”
“It is often served cold, yes,” Ray confirmed, nodding her assent.
“I’ll go get the powder!” Saph called out, getting up. “I have got to try that.”
__________________________________________________________________________________
The strange ethereal world that had seemed so all-consuming started to quickly fade. Holes grew as light and reality started seeping in, sounds and noise starting to build around him. “Oom-Tom… Tom, are you okay?” came the familiar voice of Jacky as his eyes shot open and he blinked a few times as he returned to reality proper.
“Yeah yeah, I’m here… That is trippy, but hey, I think it worked.”
“How many fingers?” Jacky questioned, holding up her hand.
“4. Clear as day.”
“Pheeew. Okay look around, anything strange?”
Tom obeyed, sitting up a bit straighter and glancing about the room. “Nnnnn, nope all good. Just like last time I used one of these.”
“Right, good. Now what did she say?”
“Oh a bunch of stuff… mostly we chatted a bit about how she’s going a touch mad. Even Glazz thinks she’s falling apart at the seams apparently. She was also not happy I wanted a break.”
“Oh don’t tell me you have to do this every day from now on?”
“I said she had 3 days to get ready to try again. Hopefully she’ll have her case worked out by then.”
“Here’s to hoping… also how is your head? Does it hurt?”
“A bit, it’ll go away I’m sure.”
“Right,” Jacky replied, looking at him skeptically. “If it gets worse, tell me. But dinner was served a while ago I think. And I’m hungry.”
“Me too, let’s go.”
__________________________________________________________________________________
Well then, Joelina got her chat. She seems fine... I am sure she will continue to be a steadfast ally, within the walls of the inquisition for many weeks to co- I mean years, definetly years.
As always I hope you enjoyed the chapter, if not you know who to blame. I promise I won't cry to much if you tell me what was wrong... I promise.
Not really any news, other than fuck me I'm a busy boi, luckily I found the time to keep up with the writing yet, hopefully things will quet down soon so I can get back to begin a bit further ahead.
Untill next time, take care
Wiki and Art Gallery If you can't remember who someone is, want to read any of the side stories of fanfiction, or you just wanna watch some of the cool art that's been made for the story. Patreon If you want to help get more cool shit made consider joining the Patreon, you also get chapters two weeks ahead of time. HoH Subreddit if you want more stories from the HoH universe or are interested in writing something for this funny little world. Discord if you wanna have a chat about the story or just hang out First Previous
2024.05.13 22:00 DiscoverDurham Things to do in Durham this week!
If you’d like to add an event to our calendar, submit an event here. Please check with the event organizers to see if events change due to weather. Have a great week!
See the full weekly calendar on our website.
Board Game Night at The Glass Jug in Downtown Durham
5 p.m.
Arts & Drafts at Fullsteam Brewery
6 p.m.
Disc Golf Putting League at The Glass Jug in RTP
6:30 p.m.
Trivia Night at Ponysaurus Brewing Company
7 p.m.
Community Board Game Night at Moon Dog Meadery
Boxyard Run Club at Boxyard RTP
6 p.m.
In Other Words at Arcana
Duke Baseball vs College of Charleston at Jack Coombs Field
Bring Your Own Vinyl with Jaffar at Rubies on Five Points
Women on the Wall at Triangle Rock Club - Durham
6:30 p.m.
Trivia at Durham Food Hall
Pony Ride at Ponysaurus Brewing Company
7 p.m.
Trivia at Beer Study Durham
Not Rocket Science Trivia at DSSOLVR Durham
Tuesday Blues Jam at The Blue Note Grill
8 p.m.
Comedy Night at Bull City Ciderworks
Jeremy 'Bean' Clemons Trio at Kingfisher
Enter Shikari at Motorco Music Hall
Vision Video + Tears For The Dying at The Pinhook
Senior Short Game Clinic at Hillandale Golf Course
10:30 a.m.
Storytime on the Roof with Durham County Library at The Durham Hotel
12 p.m.
Adult Recess at CCB Plaza
3 p.m.
Durham Farmers’ Market at Durham Central Park
4 p.m.
Whiskey Wednesdays at Alley Twenty Six
5 p.m.
Free Wednesday Wine Tasting at Beer Study Durham
5:30 p.m.
Ride of Silence at CCB Plaza
6 p.m.
Queer Craft Night and Tarot with Joy at Arcana
Bimbe Community Block Party at Holton Career & Resource Center
Come Take a Flight With Us: A Bright Black Workshop at Proximity Brewing Company
Free RTP Business Rockstar Connect Networking Event at Sheraton Imperial Hotel
Sweet Social: Auntie's African Ice Cream at The Durham Hotel
6:30 p.m.
Trivia Night with Pickle at The Glass Jug Beer Lab in RTP
7 p.m.
Bottle Swap: Homebrew Club at Durty Bull Brewing Brewing Company
Skip The Small Talk: Speed Friending Event at Fullsteam Brewery
Hammered Trivia at Hi-Wire Brewing
Karaoke Night at Mavericks Smokehouse
Music Bingo at Ponysaurus Brewing Company
3rd Wednesday Jazz Jam Session at Succotash Southern & Creole Kitchen
Brett Chambers Open Mic at The Blue Note Grill
8 p.m.
Air Hockey Tournament at Boxcar Bar + Arcade
Trivia Night at Bull McCabe's
Karaoke at Moon Dog Meadery
The Weeks at Motorco Music Hall
Blends With Friends at The Pinhook
Harnessing the Power of AI to Ensure Equitable HR Practices at RTI Holden Building
9:30 a.m.
Guide Supported Canoeing, Kayaking, and Standup Paddleboarding at Eno River
12:15 p.m.
Midday Meander: A Strolling Conversation at Sarah P. Duke Gardens
3 p.m.
Guided Museum Tour at 21c Museum Hotels Durham
5 p.m.
Thirsty Thursdays at Dashi
Righteous Roots Reggae Show at The Glass Jug Beer Lab in RTP
5:30 p.m.
Walking Club with Bull City Strollers at The Glass Jug Beer Lab in Downtown Durham
6 p.m.
Queer Trivia at Arcana
Vinyl Night with DJ Deckades at Gizmo Brew Works
6:15 p.m.
Pony Run at Ponysaurus Brewing Company
6:30 p.m.
AfterHours: Science of Beer at Museum of Life and Science
Line Dance Classes at Mystic Farm and Distillery
Space Code Youth Open Mic at NorthStar Church of the Arts
Boulders & Brews Meetup at Triangle Rock Club - Durham
7 p.m.
Trivia Night at Beer Tooth Taproom
Bimbé Cypher at CCB Plaza
Bring Your Own Vinyl Night at Congress Social Bar
Duke Baseball vs UNC at Jack Coombs Field
Summer Jazz Jam (Curated by Al Strong) at Missy Lane's Assembly Room
Community Board Game Night at Moon Dog Meadery
Al Strong Presents Jazz on the Roof at The Durham Hotel
7:30 p.m.
Trivia Night with Big Slow Tom at Clouds Brewing Brightleaf Square
Reverend Billy C. Wirtz / Armand Lenchek & Carter Minor at The Blue Note Grill
Pillow Talk: Speed Dating and Conversations About Sex / Sexuality at The Pinhook
8 p.m.
Weekly Single Mingle at Boxcar Bar + Arcade
Trivia at Fullsteam Brewery
Danny Lopriore at Motorco Music Hall
9 p.m.
DJ Halo Presents: No Requests at Rubies on Five Points
9:30 p.m.
Karaoke Night at The Tavern
Tasting at Ten at Counter Culture Coffee
12 p.m.
Co-Working Social at The Glass Jug Beer Lab in Downtown Durham
4 p.m.
Late Spring Tree Ramble at Sarah P. Duke Gardens
5 p.m.
Guided Museum Tours at 21c Museum Hotels Durham
Food Truck Friday at The Glass Jug Beer Lab in RTP
5:30 p.m.
LOJO: Log Off, Jam On at Boxyard RTP
6 p.m.
Aly J & Kevin Clark and Tarot with Kathleen at Arcana
Third Friday Art Walk at Downtown Durham
Friday Night Makes at Durham Arts Council
May Third Friday at Durham Arts Council
Counterpoints Exhibition Reception at Durham Bottling Co.
Third Friday at Golden Belt Arts
Duke Baseball vs UNC at Jack Coombs Field
Screenprint Roundup at The Fruit
The Patio Dance Parties : Clueless Fridays at Unscripted Durham
6:30 p.m.
Kayla Waters (Hosted by Marcus Anderson) at Missy Lane's Assembly Room
7 p.m.
Live Vinyl Spinning by PhDJ at Beer Study Durham
Early Show: John Howie Jr. / Ramona and The Holy Smokes at The Pinhook
7:30 p.m.
Evening Eno Exploration Paddle at Eno River
Evan Ringel & Ariel Pocock at Sharp 9 Gallery
8 p.m.
Pass the Aux at Boricua Soul
Stereo Reveries at DSSOLVR Durham
Karaoke! at Fullsteam Brewery
Cheekface at Motorco Music Hall
Dance Blues Friday at Studio 5
9 p.m.
Kayla Waters (Hosted by Marcus Anderson) at Missy Lane's Assembly Room
10 p.m.
The Floor: Special Guest THEYDYLIKE at Rubies on Five Points
Lookin For A Cure at Bull City Running Company-South
8 a.m.
Durham Farmers' Market at Durham Central Park
parkrun Durham at Southern Boundaries Park
9 a.m.
South Durham Farmers' Market at Greenwood Commons Shopping Center
9:30 a.m.
Guide Supported Canoeing, Kayaking, and Standup Paddleboarding at Eno River
10 a.m.
Pop Up Record Show at Beer Durham
Durham's Home Goods Market at Black Wall St Gardens
Bear Awareness Week at Museum of Life and Science
10:30 a.m.
Mother's Day Brunch at The Durham Hotel
11 a.m.
Battle of the Blades 2024 at Historic Durham Athletic Park
12 p.m.
Springtime Outdoor Market at Boxcar Bar + Arcade
Crafternoons at Gizmo Brew Works
Preservation Durham Annual Home Tour: The Rambling Ranch at Orchard Park Picnic Shelter
1 p.m.
Duke Baseball vs UNC at Jack Coombs Field
Say It With Glass Workshop - Sam Nguyen at Moon Dog Meadery
Bimbé Celebration at Rock Quarry Park
2 p.m.
Closing Reception — Dan Gottlieb: Figure Ground at Craven Allen Gallery
Durham "Bullpen" Treasure Hunt - Walking Team Scavenger Hunt! at Fullsteam Brewery
3 p.m.
A Beautiful Noise Spring Concert by the Common Woman Chorus at Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Peter Pan at The Carolina Theatre
4 p.m.
Family Fun Saturday: May Flowers at Guglhupf Restaurant
5 p.m.
Rooftops and Alleyways Community Canvas Wall Brawl at Dashi
Durham Blues & Brews Festival at Durham Central Park
Hops & Blues at The Glass Jug Beer Lab in RTP
6 p.m.
The Moon Unit and Tarot with Emily at Arcana
Peter Pan at The Carolina Theatre
6:30 p.m.
Kayla Waters (Hosted by Marcus Anderson) at Missy Lane's Assembly Room
7 p.m.
A Beautiful Noise Spring Concert by the Common Woman Chorus at Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Crones of Anarchy: Blues, Rock, Americana at Succotash Southern & Creole Kitchen
7:30 p.m.
Jim Ketch Swingtet at Sharp 9 Gallery
Big Birthday Dance Party: Combo Platter with 2 Sides at The Blue Note Grill
8:15 p.m.
BBYMUTHA: Sleep Paralysis Tour 2024 at Motorco Music Hall
9 p.m.
Kayla Waters (Hosted by Marcus Anderson) at Missy Lane's Assembly Room
10 p.m.
Fortune Factory Presents: Taurus Dance Party at Rubies on Five Points
Jazz Brunch at Lula & Sadie's
10:30 a.m.
Al Strong Presents Jazz Brunch at Alley Twenty Six
12 p.m.
Preservation Durham Annual Home Tour: The Rambling Ranch at Orchard Park Picnic Shelter
Sunday Dollar Bin Sale for Charity at Rumors Durham
Supernatural Sunday - Psychic Affair + Healers Market at Weldon Mills Distillery
Farmers Market at ZincHouse Winery & Brewery
12:15 p.m.
Public Tour at Duke Chapel
2 p.m.
Hillandale Golf Beginner Clinic at Hillandale Golf Course
3:30 p.m.
Davis Dance Company Spring Recital 2024 at The Carolina Theatre
4 p.m.
Showings at Scripps: Miguel Gutierrez at ADF's Samuel H. Scripps Studios
Carmina Burana at Baldwin Auditorium
Día de las Madres Kermes at El Futuro’s Therapeutic Green Space
String Break at Fullsteam Brewery
6 p.m.
Emma Jane's EP Release Show and Tarot with Joy at Arcana
Davis Dance Company Spring Recital 2024 at The Carolina Theatre
6:30 p.m.
Open Mic Night at Moon Dog Meadery
7 p.m.
DPW Limit Break at Durham Convention Center
submitted by DiscoverDurham to bullcity [link] [comments]
See the full weekly calendar on our website.
Noteworthy Events
The Lion King at DPAC- Winner of six Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, this landmark musical event brings together one of the most imaginative creative teams on Broadway.
- Wed, May 15 - Sun, June 9
- $29.50+
- Let your inner child shine as you play games, make crafts, and enjoy the fresh air during your lunch break!
- Wed, May 15
- 12-2 p.m.
- Free admission
- Thu, May 16 - Sat, May 18
- This family-oriented event is a celebration of African and African American history, culture, arts, and traditions. This year's headliner: Monica!
- Sat, May 18
- 1-7 p.m.
- Free admission
- This adventure begins at the London home of the Darling family, a typical evening in 1912, as the weary parents try to settle their children down for bed while the young ones insist on staying up late. Little do Wendy, John, and Michael know that a fantastic journey awaits them that night.
- Sat, May 18
- 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
- $32+
- Wrestlers from all over the world will gather in one place for a night you won't forget.
- Sun, May 19
- 7 p.m.
- $25+
Multi-Day Events
The NGIN Cityscapes Summit at Durham Convention Center- Hosted by national nonprofit, New Growth Innovation Network, prepare to connect with like-minded professionals and engage with purpose-driven organizations. Immerse yourself in workshops and captivating keynotes from renowned speakers, featuring three tracks of insightful sessions: Inclusive Capital, Community Wealth Building, and Reimagining Systems.
- Wed, May 15 - Fri, May 17
- Registration fees vary
- Enjoy fabulous Greek food, desserts, wine and beer in a festive outdoor atmosphere. Continuous Greek music and scheduled folk dance performances.
- Sat, May 18, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Sun, May 19, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- Free admission
- Enjoy a look inside the historic McCown-Mangum House, Photography Museum, and Mill.
- Sat, May 18 and Sun, May 19
- 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Free admission
- Libeled Lady
- Dirty Harry & Assault on Precinct 13
- Cat City
- Back to Black
- Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
- UHF
Monday, May 13
2 p.m.Board Game Night at The Glass Jug in Downtown Durham
5 p.m.
Arts & Drafts at Fullsteam Brewery
6 p.m.
Disc Golf Putting League at The Glass Jug in RTP
6:30 p.m.
Trivia Night at Ponysaurus Brewing Company
7 p.m.
Community Board Game Night at Moon Dog Meadery
Tuesday, May 14
Events at Durty Bull Brewing Brewing Company- 12-8 p.m. - Food Truck: Mike's Vegan Cookout
- 7-9 p.m. - Bull City Beer Runners Run Club
- 7-8 p.m. - Puzzled Pints Game Night
- 5:45-6:30 p.m. - Community Zumba Classes
- 6-8 p.m. - Music Bingo
- 6-8 p.m. - The Glass Jog Run Club
- 6-9 p.m. - Stitch & Sip
Boxyard Run Club at Boxyard RTP
6 p.m.
In Other Words at Arcana
Duke Baseball vs College of Charleston at Jack Coombs Field
Bring Your Own Vinyl with Jaffar at Rubies on Five Points
Women on the Wall at Triangle Rock Club - Durham
6:30 p.m.
Trivia at Durham Food Hall
Pony Ride at Ponysaurus Brewing Company
7 p.m.
Trivia at Beer Study Durham
Not Rocket Science Trivia at DSSOLVR Durham
Tuesday Blues Jam at The Blue Note Grill
8 p.m.
Comedy Night at Bull City Ciderworks
Jeremy 'Bean' Clemons Trio at Kingfisher
Enter Shikari at Motorco Music Hall
Vision Video + Tears For The Dying at The Pinhook
Wednesday, May 15
Events at Atomic Empire- 6:30 p.m. - Dragon Ball Fusion World Release Event
- 7 p.m. - Flesh and Blood Armory Event
- 12-2 p.m. - Hear & There: Daniel Delorenzo
- 5:30-8:30 p.m. - Game Night
- 7-8 p.m. - Signature Wine Tasting
- 7-8:30 p.m. - Laughs Comedy Night
Senior Short Game Clinic at Hillandale Golf Course
10:30 a.m.
Storytime on the Roof with Durham County Library at The Durham Hotel
12 p.m.
Adult Recess at CCB Plaza
3 p.m.
Durham Farmers’ Market at Durham Central Park
4 p.m.
Whiskey Wednesdays at Alley Twenty Six
5 p.m.
Free Wednesday Wine Tasting at Beer Study Durham
5:30 p.m.
Ride of Silence at CCB Plaza
6 p.m.
Queer Craft Night and Tarot with Joy at Arcana
Bimbe Community Block Party at Holton Career & Resource Center
Come Take a Flight With Us: A Bright Black Workshop at Proximity Brewing Company
Free RTP Business Rockstar Connect Networking Event at Sheraton Imperial Hotel
Sweet Social: Auntie's African Ice Cream at The Durham Hotel
6:30 p.m.
Trivia Night with Pickle at The Glass Jug Beer Lab in RTP
7 p.m.
Bottle Swap: Homebrew Club at Durty Bull Brewing Brewing Company
Skip The Small Talk: Speed Friending Event at Fullsteam Brewery
Hammered Trivia at Hi-Wire Brewing
Karaoke Night at Mavericks Smokehouse
Music Bingo at Ponysaurus Brewing Company
3rd Wednesday Jazz Jam Session at Succotash Southern & Creole Kitchen
Brett Chambers Open Mic at The Blue Note Grill
8 p.m.
Air Hockey Tournament at Boxcar Bar + Arcade
Trivia Night at Bull McCabe's
Karaoke at Moon Dog Meadery
The Weeks at Motorco Music Hall
Blends With Friends at The Pinhook
Thursday, May 16
Events at Boxyard RTP- 7:30-8 a.m. - Bike Durham: Bike to Work
- 12-2 p.m. - Taking Back Thursday: Sheila Casalett
- 12-8 p.m. -Food Truck: Mike's Vegan Cookout
- 7-9 p.m. - Thursday Trivia with Nick
Harnessing the Power of AI to Ensure Equitable HR Practices at RTI Holden Building
9:30 a.m.
Guide Supported Canoeing, Kayaking, and Standup Paddleboarding at Eno River
12:15 p.m.
Midday Meander: A Strolling Conversation at Sarah P. Duke Gardens
3 p.m.
Guided Museum Tour at 21c Museum Hotels Durham
5 p.m.
Thirsty Thursdays at Dashi
Righteous Roots Reggae Show at The Glass Jug Beer Lab in RTP
5:30 p.m.
Walking Club with Bull City Strollers at The Glass Jug Beer Lab in Downtown Durham
6 p.m.
Queer Trivia at Arcana
Vinyl Night with DJ Deckades at Gizmo Brew Works
6:15 p.m.
Pony Run at Ponysaurus Brewing Company
6:30 p.m.
AfterHours: Science of Beer at Museum of Life and Science
Line Dance Classes at Mystic Farm and Distillery
Space Code Youth Open Mic at NorthStar Church of the Arts
Boulders & Brews Meetup at Triangle Rock Club - Durham
7 p.m.
Trivia Night at Beer Tooth Taproom
Bimbé Cypher at CCB Plaza
Bring Your Own Vinyl Night at Congress Social Bar
Duke Baseball vs UNC at Jack Coombs Field
Summer Jazz Jam (Curated by Al Strong) at Missy Lane's Assembly Room
Community Board Game Night at Moon Dog Meadery
Al Strong Presents Jazz on the Roof at The Durham Hotel
7:30 p.m.
Trivia Night with Big Slow Tom at Clouds Brewing Brightleaf Square
Reverend Billy C. Wirtz / Armand Lenchek & Carter Minor at The Blue Note Grill
Pillow Talk: Speed Dating and Conversations About Sex / Sexuality at The Pinhook
8 p.m.
Weekly Single Mingle at Boxcar Bar + Arcade
Trivia at Fullsteam Brewery
Danny Lopriore at Motorco Music Hall
9 p.m.
DJ Halo Presents: No Requests at Rubies on Five Points
9:30 p.m.
Karaoke Night at The Tavern
Friday, May 17
Events at Atomic Empire- 6:30 p.m. - Lorcana: Ursula’s Return Release Event
- 6:30 p.m. - Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate Draft
- 5-9 p.m. - Food Truck: La Republica Taco Truck
- 8-11 p.m. - Open Mic Stand-up Comedy
- 7:30-9 p.m. - Wit: An Improv Comedy Game Show
- 9-10 p.m. - Hush Hush
- 6:45 p.m. - Lindy Hop Lesson + Dance
- 7:30 p.m. - Djam
- 9:30 p.m. - Bachata Dance Night
- 6-8 p.m. - The Duke Street Dogs
- 9:15 p.m. - The Beautiful People Club
Tasting at Ten at Counter Culture Coffee
12 p.m.
Co-Working Social at The Glass Jug Beer Lab in Downtown Durham
4 p.m.
Late Spring Tree Ramble at Sarah P. Duke Gardens
5 p.m.
Guided Museum Tours at 21c Museum Hotels Durham
Food Truck Friday at The Glass Jug Beer Lab in RTP
5:30 p.m.
LOJO: Log Off, Jam On at Boxyard RTP
6 p.m.
Aly J & Kevin Clark and Tarot with Kathleen at Arcana
Third Friday Art Walk at Downtown Durham
Friday Night Makes at Durham Arts Council
May Third Friday at Durham Arts Council
Counterpoints Exhibition Reception at Durham Bottling Co.
Third Friday at Golden Belt Arts
Duke Baseball vs UNC at Jack Coombs Field
Screenprint Roundup at The Fruit
The Patio Dance Parties : Clueless Fridays at Unscripted Durham
6:30 p.m.
Kayla Waters (Hosted by Marcus Anderson) at Missy Lane's Assembly Room
7 p.m.
Live Vinyl Spinning by PhDJ at Beer Study Durham
Early Show: John Howie Jr. / Ramona and The Holy Smokes at The Pinhook
7:30 p.m.
Evening Eno Exploration Paddle at Eno River
Evan Ringel & Ariel Pocock at Sharp 9 Gallery
8 p.m.
Pass the Aux at Boricua Soul
Stereo Reveries at DSSOLVR Durham
Karaoke! at Fullsteam Brewery
Cheekface at Motorco Music Hall
Dance Blues Friday at Studio 5
9 p.m.
Kayla Waters (Hosted by Marcus Anderson) at Missy Lane's Assembly Room
10 p.m.
The Floor: Special Guest THEYDYLIKE at Rubies on Five Points
Saturday, May 18
Events at Atomic Empire- 11 a.m. - Pokémon TCG: League Cup
- 1 p.m. - Lorcana: Ursula’s Return Release Event
- 2 p.m. - Game Designers of North Carolina Meetup
- 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. - Saturdaze: DJ k.ward
- 1-8 p.m. - Food Truck: Death By Taco
- 3-7 p.m. - 3rd Saturday Vintage + Maker Market
- 5-9 p.m. - Home Brewed: CNOTE Art Spectacular
- Every Saturday, 10-10:30 a.m. and 11-11:30 a.m.
- 7:30-8:30 p.m. - House Party
- 8:30-9:30 p.m. - Harold Night
- 9:30-10:30 p.m. - Mint Condition Standup Showcase
- 5-8 p.m. - Menace To Society Album Listening Party
- 7:30-10 p.m. - HUMP! Film Festival
- 10 p.m. - 2 a.m. - Puro Perreo Pari
- 7:30 p.m. - Boogie Burly Nights... A Groovy 70s Show
- 10:30 p.m. - Drake and Friends 2
- 2 p.m. - Downtown Durham Walking Tour
- 4 p.m. - Durham African American History Tour
- 6 p.m. - Downtown Durham True Crime Tour
Lookin For A Cure at Bull City Running Company-South
8 a.m.
Durham Farmers' Market at Durham Central Park
parkrun Durham at Southern Boundaries Park
9 a.m.
South Durham Farmers' Market at Greenwood Commons Shopping Center
9:30 a.m.
Guide Supported Canoeing, Kayaking, and Standup Paddleboarding at Eno River
10 a.m.
Pop Up Record Show at Beer Durham
Durham's Home Goods Market at Black Wall St Gardens
Bear Awareness Week at Museum of Life and Science
10:30 a.m.
Mother's Day Brunch at The Durham Hotel
11 a.m.
Battle of the Blades 2024 at Historic Durham Athletic Park
12 p.m.
Springtime Outdoor Market at Boxcar Bar + Arcade
Crafternoons at Gizmo Brew Works
Preservation Durham Annual Home Tour: The Rambling Ranch at Orchard Park Picnic Shelter
1 p.m.
Duke Baseball vs UNC at Jack Coombs Field
Say It With Glass Workshop - Sam Nguyen at Moon Dog Meadery
Bimbé Celebration at Rock Quarry Park
2 p.m.
Closing Reception — Dan Gottlieb: Figure Ground at Craven Allen Gallery
Durham "Bullpen" Treasure Hunt - Walking Team Scavenger Hunt! at Fullsteam Brewery
3 p.m.
A Beautiful Noise Spring Concert by the Common Woman Chorus at Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Peter Pan at The Carolina Theatre
4 p.m.
Family Fun Saturday: May Flowers at Guglhupf Restaurant
5 p.m.
Rooftops and Alleyways Community Canvas Wall Brawl at Dashi
Durham Blues & Brews Festival at Durham Central Park
Hops & Blues at The Glass Jug Beer Lab in RTP
6 p.m.
The Moon Unit and Tarot with Emily at Arcana
Peter Pan at The Carolina Theatre
6:30 p.m.
Kayla Waters (Hosted by Marcus Anderson) at Missy Lane's Assembly Room
7 p.m.
A Beautiful Noise Spring Concert by the Common Woman Chorus at Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Crones of Anarchy: Blues, Rock, Americana at Succotash Southern & Creole Kitchen
7:30 p.m.
Jim Ketch Swingtet at Sharp 9 Gallery
Big Birthday Dance Party: Combo Platter with 2 Sides at The Blue Note Grill
8:15 p.m.
BBYMUTHA: Sleep Paralysis Tour 2024 at Motorco Music Hall
9 p.m.
Kayla Waters (Hosted by Marcus Anderson) at Missy Lane's Assembly Room
10 p.m.
Fortune Factory Presents: Taurus Dance Party at Rubies on Five Points
Sunday, May 19
Events at Atomic Empire- 11:30 a.m. - Star Wars: Shatterpoint Tournament
- 12 p.m. - Battletech Campaign Day
- 1 p.m. - Lorcana: Ursula’s Return Release Event
- 2-4 p.m. - Hammered Trivia with Casey
- 4-8 p.m. - The Blood Connection Blood Drive
Jazz Brunch at Lula & Sadie's
10:30 a.m.
Al Strong Presents Jazz Brunch at Alley Twenty Six
12 p.m.
Preservation Durham Annual Home Tour: The Rambling Ranch at Orchard Park Picnic Shelter
Sunday Dollar Bin Sale for Charity at Rumors Durham
Supernatural Sunday - Psychic Affair + Healers Market at Weldon Mills Distillery
Farmers Market at ZincHouse Winery & Brewery
12:15 p.m.
Public Tour at Duke Chapel
2 p.m.
Hillandale Golf Beginner Clinic at Hillandale Golf Course
3:30 p.m.
Davis Dance Company Spring Recital 2024 at The Carolina Theatre
4 p.m.
Showings at Scripps: Miguel Gutierrez at ADF's Samuel H. Scripps Studios
Carmina Burana at Baldwin Auditorium
Día de las Madres Kermes at El Futuro’s Therapeutic Green Space
String Break at Fullsteam Brewery
6 p.m.
Emma Jane's EP Release Show and Tarot with Joy at Arcana
Davis Dance Company Spring Recital 2024 at The Carolina Theatre
6:30 p.m.
Open Mic Night at Moon Dog Meadery
7 p.m.
DPW Limit Break at Durham Convention Center
Running Art Exhibit
Hometown (Inherited): Ten Year Retrospective at The Fruit- This project examines the changing landscape of our city through a series of forty mixed media pieces the artist has created since 2014.
- Third Friday openings on Apr 19 and May 17, 6-9 p.m.
- Drop-in by appointment and Wednesdays 4-7 p.m.
- Free admission
- Each piece begins as a photograph, which is then printed on acrylic and worked with a variety of paints and compounds to create a unique surface.
- Sat, May 4 - Sat, May 18
- Free admission
- Sacred Geometry is an ancient field of physics whose equations are expressed through shape. Shape is a way to explore the universal fabric of our existence.
- Sat, May 4 - Sat, June 1
- Free admission
- It Ain’t All Black and White is a photography exhibition that encourages us to consider emotions such as serenity, apprehension, yearning, and more.
- Captured by 11 dynamic photographers dedicated to documenting the fullness and complexity of Black life, this exhibition offers each of us an opportunity to see ourselves with renewed attention.
- Thu, Apr 25 - Sun, June 2
- María Magdalena Campos-Pons: Behold is a monographic exhibition of a visionary voice in photography, immersive installation, painting and performance.
- Thu, Feb 15 - Sun, Jun 9
- Every week, Tue-Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun 12-5 p.m.
- Free admission
- Counterpoints is a curated showcase of local AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) artists, delving into the convergence of AAPI identity and mental health. Inspired by the intricate layers of musical counterpoint, its purpose is to weave together diverse narratives and confront the stigma surrounding mental health within our communities.
- Wed, May 1 - Sun, June 16
- Mon - Fri, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- The Divine Nine Legacy Memoir delves deep into the history of the National Panhellenic Council (NPHC) or "Divine Nine," a collective of nine Greek Letter organizations founded on May 10th, 1930.
- These organizations were born out of the necessity to provide a voice for Black American students within the collegiate space. United by principles of service, community, brotherhood, and sisterhood, the Divine Nine work collectively to uplift society through acts of service to underserved areas across the nation.
- Fri, Apr 19 - Sat, June 1
- Free admission
2024.05.13 21:33 LaraStardust Filling in: Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 12, 2024
Welcome to the Peanut Gallery! This is apprentice Lara filling in for the master thestoryteller987, on your fairly regular updates! Remember I know less than nothing.
As a side thought, if Putin tripped and fell out of a window tomorrow, this would leave a huge power vacuum right now. Just a thought for any window cleaners near the Cremlin.
It was only recently that the British foreign wank ahem I mean foreign secutary gave permission for the storm shadows to be used in Russia, which is a bit like the Challenger's. A fantastic gesture. But mostly... A gesture. It's Britain whipping out its balls and slapping them on the table in front of Russia, in hopes that America will accept the challenge and teabag russia in the nose. Basically, Britain makes the gesture, we see how Russia reacts, then America goes ah... Well... Britain did it, we'll do it.
In other news, ISW has published a special report today on the Kharkiv problem and using western weapons in russia. I've not read it. But someone should summarise it! :)
https://understandingwar.org/backgroundeputins-safe-space-defeating-russias-kharkiv-operation-requires-eliminating-russias
‘Q’ for the Community:
submitted by LaraStardust to TheNuttySpectacle [link] [comments]
Russian President Vladimir Putin replaced Sergei Shoigu with Andrei Belousov as Russian Minister of Defense on May 12, moving Shoigu to the position of Security Council Secretary in place of Nikolai Patrushev. These high-level reshuffles following the Russian presidential election strongly suggest that Putin is taking significant steps towards mobilizing the Russian economy and defense industrial base (DIB) to support a protracted war in Ukraine and possibly prepare for a future confrontation with NATOSo to me, this has a few implications. First Putin is pissed off with Shoigu. He's had enough of him running his mouth and is quietly disposing of him gracefully. ISW says similar in this regard. ISw also notes that this could be preparations for Putin readying Russia's Economy for a long term protracted war in ukraine, highlighting Russian aims to produce drones up to 2030. Me personally I also think this is Putin tightening the fist of control further. ISW touches on tying the DIB and MOD closer to the civilian sectors and I think this is a control factor. Putin is unlikely to be declaring a full on war and put the economy on a war footing, at least not publicly, but he may steer it in that direction over the next year with a secondary aim towards tightening his control over the wider governmental state.
As a side thought, if Putin tripped and fell out of a window tomorrow, this would leave a huge power vacuum right now. Just a thought for any window cleaners near the Cremlin.
Belousov's nearly decade-long tenure as an economic minister in the Russian federal government and his more recent involvement managing various domestic DIB innovation and drone projects, prepare him well to lead the struggling Russian MoD apparatusComplaints of corruption haven't touched this guy as much as they have floated around Shoigu. Plus at this point in the 3 day special opreation, Putin is looking for ways to do things cheaper over the long term annd this guy is the man for that kind of job.
Shoigu's replacement of Patrushev as Security Council Secretary is in line with Putin's general pattern of quietly sidelining high-level security officials by granting them peripheral roles within the Russian security sphere rather than simply firing them.This is ISW's assessment, but I honestly think there's more to this one. Belousov is a huge Putin supporter and I think that can't be stated enough. This may well be a casual shuffle, but I think there's more going on than what is on the surface.
Russian offensive efforts to seize Vovchansk (northeast of Kharkiv City) are in large part a consequence of the tacit Western policy that Ukrainian forces cannot use Western-provided systems to strike legitimate military targets within RussiaOkay so to put this in an easy to understand way, basically Ukraine can't use the weapons the west provide it to strike targets in russia. Therefore, Russia parks its refueling depos and artillery and such behind its border, and opens fire niiiiice and safe from their. American provided long range weapons such as the beautiful HIMARS have dealt some very heavy blows of freedom and democracy to Russian forces inside Ukraine, such as the (right) bank of Kherson Oblast in 2022... All Ukraine can use is their own drone forces to strike targets and sure, the drones are good, but they're not HIMARS.
It was only recently that the British foreign wank ahem I mean foreign secutary gave permission for the storm shadows to be used in Russia, which is a bit like the Challenger's. A fantastic gesture. But mostly... A gesture. It's Britain whipping out its balls and slapping them on the table in front of Russia, in hopes that America will accept the challenge and teabag russia in the nose. Basically, Britain makes the gesture, we see how Russia reacts, then America goes ah... Well... Britain did it, we'll do it.
Ukrainian forces continue to conduct repeat strikes on Russian oil and defense industrial infrastructure, prompting Russian milbloggers to complain about Russian forces' clear and continued inability to defend against these strikes.Pop pop went a few more buildings on a few more refineries today. An oil depo and a metal plant, and one other I can't find now. Note ISW mentioned that milbloggers are throwing their toys out of the pram, but check this line out, it makes me laugh:
The milblogger also blamed the issue on Russian military commanders who submit dishonest reports to the senior Russian military command — a common complaint among Russian milbloggers.[44] The milblogger claimed that Ukraine and the West are "more flexible, smarter, and more efficient" than Russian forces. The milblogger oddly and preemptively noted that this statement does not "discredit" the Russian military, which is a crime in Russia, but is instead an "adequate assessment" of the potential of the "enemy" that Russia is fightingThis is the equivalent of: F*** you! You suck! No offense.
Several German politicians from different political parties expressed support for using NATO air defense systems stationed in NATO member states to shoot down Russian drones over western Ukraine.This is a political move, don't get excited or expect anything to come of it. These parties are the equivalent of Bernie Sanders saying something.. People might cheer and say hey what a good idea.. But in the real world, it'll never happen because the Dems and the Reps will talk it to death. It's a brilliant idea, and honestly no one will be happier than me if it does happen, and it'll make resupplying a whole lot easier. And to be sure I'm sure Poland would enjoy the planting of a size 12 boot into the war, but I can't see it happening. This is just smoke and mirrors.
Russian forces recently made confirmed advances near Lyptsi and Vovchansk in northern Kharkiv Oblast.Not much to say here that hasn't already been said. Give Ukraine her guns already.
Former Roscosmos (Russian space agency) head and ultranationalist figure Dmitry Rogozin highlighted Russian forces' continued difficulty repelling Ukrainian drones on the frontline.And then backtracked by saying "no offense, dude. I'm not trying to break the law, honest!"
In other news, ISW has published a special report today on the Kharkiv problem and using western weapons in russia. I've not read it. But someone should summarise it! :)
https://understandingwar.org/backgroundeputins-safe-space-defeating-russias-kharkiv-operation-requires-eliminating-russias
Ukrainian officials continue to warn that Russian forces are systematically and increasingly using chemical weapons and other likely-banned chemical substances in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Support Forces Command stated on April 5 that Ukrainian forces have recorded 371 cases of Russian forces using munitions containing chemical substances during the last month and 1,412 cases of Russian forces using chemical weapons between February 2023 and March 2024.Please give Ukraine what they need to bring this war to an end.
- Something has gone terribly wrong with the time experiment. You were supposed to go back to the 1 1940's to interview churchill, somehow though, you've landed in the body of some President Putin or some such nonsense. What are his thoughts right now?
- Join the conversation on /TheNuttySpectacle!
2024.05.13 19:52 WDKilpackIII Kilpack Launches Dystopian Military Sci-Fi Trilogy with Battle Calm
 | W.D. Kilpack III, a native of West Jordan, Uta., had his sixth novel, Battle Calm, published on Amazon.com. This is the first book in a trilogy called the Battle Calm Cycle, set in a dystopian future. It is Kilpack's first hardcover release, but is also available in eBook and on Kindle Unlimited. submitted by WDKilpackIII to u/WDKilpackIII [link] [comments] https://preview.redd.it/uypg3kt5f80d1.jpg?width=807&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6106b31b716bafc8414bf53a110d47d85e30e61c Battle Calm centers around Badger, a Keeper, who is the greatest soldier alive. He knows to never celebrate victories, no matter how hard-won, because the enemy never stops. When Badger succeeded his father, Red Skin, as Keeper Base Leader, he was well prepared, raised to handle anything the enemy threw at him. He was the best killer, and the most respected tactician. He knew Red Skin’s Laws like he wrote them himself. Most importantly, he was always calm, no matter how frenzied the combat. These were only some of the reasons why he still had all his original parts. His two closest friends are Trinity, who would die for him, and Korry, who would follow him without question. They are all Keepers. They fight, they kill, they live to kill another day, even when it means bugging out to another Base ... and another. That is life when life is war. They know nothing else. But even war cannot last forever, regardless of the infallible truth of Red Skin’s Law #35: “Under conditions of peace, men attack themselves; thus, there never has been, and there never will be a time without war. It is the greatest, most perfect thing men can do.” Kilpack said, "I wrote the very earliest drafts of these books when I was 14. Don't worry, they've been revised many, many times since then. I'm very happy with the state they're in now. The military aspect is much more authentic in a lot of ways, despite being a fictional branch of the military. Research and Q&A with some veterans went into restructuring that aspect of the story both through direct feedback and pointing me to the right places to dig and find out for myself." Kilpack is an award-winning and critically acclaimed internationally published writer, with works appearing in print, online, radio and television, starting with his first publication credit at the age of nine, when he wrote an award-winning poem. He has since won 23 book awards, including The International Firebird Book Award, The BookFest Award, International Impact Book Award, both Editor's Choice and Top Pick from BooksShelf and Honorable Mention from L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future Contest for his novella, Pale Face, which was recently optioned for development for a Hollywood movie. He has been editor and/or publisher of 19 news and literary publications, both online and in print, with circulations as high as 770,000. He received both his bachelor's and master's degrees from Westminster University. As an undergrad, he double-majored in communication and philosophy, while completing the Honors Program. As a graduate student, he earned a master of professional communication with a writing emphasis. He was also a high-performing athlete, qualifying for international competition in Greco-Roman wrestling. For 25 years, he was a communication professor and a nationally recognized wrestling coach. He is an accomplished cook and has cooked nearly every type of food on a grill. He is happily married to his high-school sweetheart and is father to five children, as well as helping to raise five step-children. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he continues to live, consult and educate. For more information www.Kilpack.net Praise for Pale Face Pale Face is "pretty darned good. I like it. I love how [Hector] sees the aliens and the white men in the same light. A nice, brutal, ironic twist ... this is good stuff." — Dave Wolverton, international best-selling author Praise for Crown Prince: Book One of New Blood "Author W.D. Kilpack III presents an atmospheric and immersive journey into a richly crafted fantasy world, balancing a strong character-led adventure with a wider web of plots, setting up a highly complex and enjoyable fantasy saga to follow. There’s a clear flair for character, dialogue, and attitude from the start, with Natharr's intense presence affecting all who encounter him and making for some really dynamic clashes. The weightiness of his responsibilities and the depth of the world-building immediately gripped my attention and, as the story unfolded, the way the characters’ attitudes and actions were shaped by the realism of the worldbuilding was totally compelling. This book delivers on every promise of pulse-pounding adventure — thanks to the swift pacing of the plot, coupled with dark storytelling, strong descriptive skills, and captivating character development that balances emotion with duty well. Overall, I would certainly recommend Crown Prince as an incredible opener to an exciting new fantasy series, and I’m all the more eager to continue exploring this fantastical realm." — USA Today best-selling author K.C. Finn Praise for Order of Light: Book Two of New Blood "W. D. Kilpack III's Crown Prince captivated me. His vivid descriptions plunged me into a kaleidoscope of sights, sounds, and emotions. I devoured the first book in the New Blood Saga, desperate to see where the tale would lead. So, it was with bated breath that I cracked open Order of Light, the series' second instalment. Kilpack doesn't disappoint. The themes that resonated in Crown Prince deepen and twist in Order of Light. He has a way of making words just flow vividly on the page. On page 106 of my Australian paperback version, a revelation about Natharr, the Guardian of Maarihk, floored me! His journey of self-discovery weaves flawlessly with the Crown Prince's own remarkable growth. New fantastical creatures emerge from Kilpack's boundless imagination. The Quiet One and Bu, meticulously detailed in all their wonder, are testament to his storytelling prowess. But fear not, I won't spoil the magic! Suffice it to say, fans of epic fantasy, your search is over. Kilpack is your new literary lord. From exhilarating battle sequences to poignant moments of reflection, Order of Light is a masterpiece. If I could, I’d give it a six! Both it and Crown Prince deserve a place on your bookshelf. Trust me, you won't regret immersing yourself in Kilpack's world." — Jose F. Nodar, author of Books, Pens & Larceny (South Wales, Australia) Praise for Demon Seed: Book Three of New Blood "Demon Seed is the thrilling and fast-paced third book in the New Blood Saga ... Kilpack does not disappoint! Demon Seed is a shocking and brilliant tale that will reintroduce readers to characters we have come to love/be invested in. In this third book, the stakes are as high as ever and the story the reader is taken on will enthrall, captivate and excite its readers ... Kilpack from the beginning hooks his readers and keeps them enchanted to the very end. I have to recommend Demon Seed to readers that love epic fantasy! Demon Seed is one that is full of shocks, thrills, and twists and turns galore that will keep you on edge from beginning to end. [It] is an incredibly suspenseful novel and this is thanks to the wonderful author, whose work I love ... [Demon Seed] did not let me down, this saga has not lost its momentum or uniqueness. Kilpack is an exceptional author [who] knows how to flawlessly transport his readers into the story ... the descriptions are phenomenal ... Demon Seed is a magnificent and entertaining book that will easily entertain its readers for many hours! That is why I of course have to award this incredible book five stars!" — RedHeadedBookLover.com Praise for Rilari: Book Four of New Blood "Embark on a captivating journey with W.D. Kilpack III's Rilari: Book Four of New Blood, a tale that expertly weaves tension, mystery, and awe-inspiring heroism. Kilpack's world-building skillfully combines politics, magic, and ancient lore, creating a rich tapestry for readers to explore. The characters, especially Natharr and the Knights of Ril, are well-developed, and the dynamic between Nathan and his summoned companion adds depth and heart to the story. Kilpack successfully incorporates profound themes of resilience and unity into the gripping plot, leaving readers emotionally connected. Riliari is a triumph, offering an enthralling adventure filled with courage and the enduring spirit of humanity." — BooksShelf.com author #authorlife #authorscommunity #bookaddict #bookworms #dystopian #fiction #FSFWritersAlliance #indieauthor #newbloodsaga #newrelease #kilpack #militaryscifi #postapocalyptic #readers #readersareleaders #readersgonnaread #scifi #sciencefiction #WritingCommunity #ian1 #writerslift |
2024.05.13 19:39 Relative-Obscurity Today's Earthquake opened a crevasse in the floor of my basement apartment. And I can hear someone whispering from inside it.
Link to original nosleep post:
https://www.reddit.com/nosleep/comments/1bwzjl9/todays_earthquake_opened_a_crevasse_in_the_floo
There had always been a crack in the floor of my tiny NYC basement apartment. A massive, sprawling crack that covered the ground like a giant spider web. It was so cracked, in fact, that I often wondered what was even keeping my place from collapsing into whatever lay beneath it.
Was it imperfect? Yes. Was it distracting? Yes. Was it an eyesore? Yes.
But in New York City, when you find a studio apartment that possesses that rare combination of affordable and conveniently located to the subway, sometimes imperfect's just gotta do.
So I lived with it. For two years to be precise. I guess I could have called the landlord, and demanded that he fix it. But I fancy myself... something of a procrastinator. And to be honest, other than a handful of times when a friend would visit and ask what was wrong with my floor, I almost forgot that the crack even existed.
That is, until this morning. When, at around 10:23 am Eastern Time, a magnitude 4.8 earthquake hit NYC, shaking my apartment building, and causing that very crack on my floor, to crumble into pieces and cave away, unearthing of all things... a crevasse that appeared to lead deep into the earth.
Now, anyone in their right mind would have immediately called their landlord, or emergency services, or both. But like I said. I'm a procrastinator. So, somewhere between when the quake hit and my slew of remote work calls began, I kind of just... blocked it out, and went about my day, business as usual.
I blocked it out so much so, that at one point, upon discovering that I had an hour and a half break between my calls, I even took a nap.
But the thing about taking a nap when you've got a chasm into an unknown abyss in your apartment is... strange things can happen while you're sleeping.
Things like... hearing whispers coming from inside the fissure, calling for you to venture down into it.
"What the?" I gasped, as I awoke from my midday slumber, to hear the news of the earthquake still playing faintly on my TV. But that wasn't the sound that I had heard in my dreams.
Must have been a nightmare. I thought to myself, before walking into the bathroom and turning on my electric toothbrush, to freshen up my post-nap breath.
BUZZ.
But as it buzzed away, just as it always did, for what was two perfectly timed minutes but felt like an eternity, I could have sworn I heard a voice coming from the other room.
CLICK. As the toothbrush went silent.
Nothing.
CLICK.
BUZZ. As the toothbrush started buzzing again.
Wait. There it is again.
CLICK.
But this time, when the toothbrush went silent, I caught the tail end of someone whispering in the other room.
"Climb down. Climb down." The voice called out ominously.
I put down my toothbrush, leaned back, and looked into the studio, at the hole in the center of my floor, half-expecting to see someone crawling out of it. But I saw... nothing.
"I'm losing it." I said out loud, before throwing on a pair of headphones, and rushing back to another conference call.
Sure enough, about fifteen minutes into the meeting, as I feigned interest in the subject matter and laughter at my boss' lame jokes, I started to hear the voice again.
CLICK. As I muted the call.
"Climb down. Climb down."
"What the fuck?" I called out, still on mute but visually concerned enough to attract the attention of my boss.
"Hey, Dave? Dave? Everything okay?" He asked.
CLICK. CLICK. As I unmuted the call, and my microphone.
"Uh, yeah. Sorry, someone accidentally buzzed my apartment. The neighbor must have a package."
"Oh, right." He replied, before continuing on with whatever nonsense he was ranting about in the first place.
CLICK. As I muted my microphone, but left his audio playing. I tried my best to listen to what he was saying, and to focus on his words. I really did.
But no matter how hard I tried, I kept getting distracted by the whisper.
"Climb down. Climb down."
"Climb down. Climb down."
Until eventually, I couldn't take it anymore.
CLICK. As I unmuted my microphone.
"Hey, guys. I'm sorry, this delivery man just keeps buzzing. I'll be right back."
CLICK. WHOOSH. As I left the meeting.
"Climb down. Climb down."
I sat there for a moment, staring at the chasm in my floor where the giant crack used to be, and, for reasons I don't quite understand, walked over to it, looked down, and considered climbing in.
But before I could even take a step inside...
BUZZ.
...I was snapped out of whatever had come over me by the sound of my phone buzzing on the kitchen table.
And upon checking it, I saw a text message from Jenny, a girl I'd met on the dating apps and had gone on a few dates with. Three, to be precise.
"Hey I'm outside!"
Fuck. I thought to myself, remembering that we had plans to watch a movie after work.
"Be right there." I texted back, as I ran up the stairs and let her in.
"What the fuck is that?" Jenny asked, as she entered my apartment, and carefully passed by the crevasse in the center of the room.
"Oh. That." I said, letting out a sigh. "Uh, you know that earthquake today?"
"Yeah?" She replied.
I simply pointed at the fissure and smiled.
"But it was just a 4.8?" She asked.
"Uh, there was this crack. That I probably should have fixed." I said.
She laughed out loud. "Well I can honestly say this is a first. But you know what? Dating in NYC, not the worst apartment I've seen."
At that moment, I thought about coming clean, and telling her about the whispers that I'd heard coming from the hole in the floor. But before I could bring myself to do so, I had second thoughts.
What's wrong with you? Clearly there's nothing down there. The fact that there's a giant crevasse in your floor is bad enough. If you tell her that, you're gonna creep her out.
So I just kept the whispers to myself.
That is, until they started happening again.
"What was that?" Jenny asked, as she paused the movie.
"Wait, what was what?" I replied, playing dumb.
"That noise. It sounded like a voice."
I was both relieved to hear that she'd heard the whisper but at the same time terrified that she had. Because I guess that meant that it must be real after all, and that I would have to explain that I had heard it as well.
So I just turned up the volume on the TV, and hoped the voice would go away.
Sure enough, the movie was playing so loud, in fact, that we couldn't hear anything else. So if it was still happening, we couldn't hear it.
And so, after about an hour of watching the movie, with the volume as loud as possible, I once again forgot about the whispers.
Until suddenly...
DING.
...The doorbell rang.
"Pizza's here!" I said to Jenny.
CLICK. As I paused the movie.
"That was quick!" She replied.
"Be right back." I said, as I hopped up from the couch, ran up the stairs, opened the door, and greeted the delivery person outside.
"Here ya go." He said, pulling the oversized pizza box out of his delivery bag and handing it to me.
"Thanks." I replied, before attempting to balance the pizza box and rummage through my wallet for a tip. But all I had was a twenty. "Got change?"
He then proceeded to rummage through his own wallet, looking for the proper change, before handing a ten and two fives back to me.
"Here, thanks again." I said, handing him the ten, waving goodbye, closing the door, and running back downstairs.
But when I got back down to my apartment, I made a horrifying discovery...
…Jenny, crawling into the crevasse feet first, half her body nearly submerged into the ground.
"Jenny, no!" I screamed, as I dropped the pizza box, ran over, and pulled her out of the chasm.
"Huh? What's going on?" She asked, as if awoken from a dream.
"You were crawling into the crevasse." I said, still catching my breath.
"What?" She replied, confused, and rightfully so.
I spent the better part of the next thirty minutes trying to explain everything to Jenny. The crevasse. The voices. Why I hadn't told her about the voices. How I had nearly crawled inside the crevasse. And how she had almost done the same.
But as one can imagine, it was all a bit too much for a fourth date, causing Jenny to leave in a panic, and likely, never contact me again.
Now I'm left here, sitting by myself, staring at the crevasse with the movie's audio on as loud as possible, as I wonder who's been whispering, if they'll ever stop, and what I should do next.
submitted by Relative-Obscurity to relativeobscurity [link] [comments]
https://www.reddit.com/nosleep/comments/1bwzjl9/todays_earthquake_opened_a_crevasse_in_the_floo
There had always been a crack in the floor of my tiny NYC basement apartment. A massive, sprawling crack that covered the ground like a giant spider web. It was so cracked, in fact, that I often wondered what was even keeping my place from collapsing into whatever lay beneath it.
Was it imperfect? Yes. Was it distracting? Yes. Was it an eyesore? Yes.
But in New York City, when you find a studio apartment that possesses that rare combination of affordable and conveniently located to the subway, sometimes imperfect's just gotta do.
So I lived with it. For two years to be precise. I guess I could have called the landlord, and demanded that he fix it. But I fancy myself... something of a procrastinator. And to be honest, other than a handful of times when a friend would visit and ask what was wrong with my floor, I almost forgot that the crack even existed.
That is, until this morning. When, at around 10:23 am Eastern Time, a magnitude 4.8 earthquake hit NYC, shaking my apartment building, and causing that very crack on my floor, to crumble into pieces and cave away, unearthing of all things... a crevasse that appeared to lead deep into the earth.
Now, anyone in their right mind would have immediately called their landlord, or emergency services, or both. But like I said. I'm a procrastinator. So, somewhere between when the quake hit and my slew of remote work calls began, I kind of just... blocked it out, and went about my day, business as usual.
I blocked it out so much so, that at one point, upon discovering that I had an hour and a half break between my calls, I even took a nap.
But the thing about taking a nap when you've got a chasm into an unknown abyss in your apartment is... strange things can happen while you're sleeping.
Things like... hearing whispers coming from inside the fissure, calling for you to venture down into it.
"What the?" I gasped, as I awoke from my midday slumber, to hear the news of the earthquake still playing faintly on my TV. But that wasn't the sound that I had heard in my dreams.
Must have been a nightmare. I thought to myself, before walking into the bathroom and turning on my electric toothbrush, to freshen up my post-nap breath.
BUZZ.
But as it buzzed away, just as it always did, for what was two perfectly timed minutes but felt like an eternity, I could have sworn I heard a voice coming from the other room.
CLICK. As the toothbrush went silent.
Nothing.
CLICK.
BUZZ. As the toothbrush started buzzing again.
Wait. There it is again.
CLICK.
But this time, when the toothbrush went silent, I caught the tail end of someone whispering in the other room.
"Climb down. Climb down." The voice called out ominously.
I put down my toothbrush, leaned back, and looked into the studio, at the hole in the center of my floor, half-expecting to see someone crawling out of it. But I saw... nothing.
"I'm losing it." I said out loud, before throwing on a pair of headphones, and rushing back to another conference call.
Sure enough, about fifteen minutes into the meeting, as I feigned interest in the subject matter and laughter at my boss' lame jokes, I started to hear the voice again.
CLICK. As I muted the call.
"Climb down. Climb down."
"What the fuck?" I called out, still on mute but visually concerned enough to attract the attention of my boss.
"Hey, Dave? Dave? Everything okay?" He asked.
CLICK. CLICK. As I unmuted the call, and my microphone.
"Uh, yeah. Sorry, someone accidentally buzzed my apartment. The neighbor must have a package."
"Oh, right." He replied, before continuing on with whatever nonsense he was ranting about in the first place.
CLICK. As I muted my microphone, but left his audio playing. I tried my best to listen to what he was saying, and to focus on his words. I really did.
But no matter how hard I tried, I kept getting distracted by the whisper.
"Climb down. Climb down."
"Climb down. Climb down."
Until eventually, I couldn't take it anymore.
CLICK. As I unmuted my microphone.
"Hey, guys. I'm sorry, this delivery man just keeps buzzing. I'll be right back."
CLICK. WHOOSH. As I left the meeting.
"Climb down. Climb down."
I sat there for a moment, staring at the chasm in my floor where the giant crack used to be, and, for reasons I don't quite understand, walked over to it, looked down, and considered climbing in.
But before I could even take a step inside...
BUZZ.
...I was snapped out of whatever had come over me by the sound of my phone buzzing on the kitchen table.
And upon checking it, I saw a text message from Jenny, a girl I'd met on the dating apps and had gone on a few dates with. Three, to be precise.
"Hey I'm outside!"
Fuck. I thought to myself, remembering that we had plans to watch a movie after work.
"Be right there." I texted back, as I ran up the stairs and let her in.
"What the fuck is that?" Jenny asked, as she entered my apartment, and carefully passed by the crevasse in the center of the room.
"Oh. That." I said, letting out a sigh. "Uh, you know that earthquake today?"
"Yeah?" She replied.
I simply pointed at the fissure and smiled.
"But it was just a 4.8?" She asked.
"Uh, there was this crack. That I probably should have fixed." I said.
She laughed out loud. "Well I can honestly say this is a first. But you know what? Dating in NYC, not the worst apartment I've seen."
At that moment, I thought about coming clean, and telling her about the whispers that I'd heard coming from the hole in the floor. But before I could bring myself to do so, I had second thoughts.
What's wrong with you? Clearly there's nothing down there. The fact that there's a giant crevasse in your floor is bad enough. If you tell her that, you're gonna creep her out.
So I just kept the whispers to myself.
That is, until they started happening again.
"What was that?" Jenny asked, as she paused the movie.
"Wait, what was what?" I replied, playing dumb.
"That noise. It sounded like a voice."
I was both relieved to hear that she'd heard the whisper but at the same time terrified that she had. Because I guess that meant that it must be real after all, and that I would have to explain that I had heard it as well.
So I just turned up the volume on the TV, and hoped the voice would go away.
Sure enough, the movie was playing so loud, in fact, that we couldn't hear anything else. So if it was still happening, we couldn't hear it.
And so, after about an hour of watching the movie, with the volume as loud as possible, I once again forgot about the whispers.
Until suddenly...
DING.
...The doorbell rang.
"Pizza's here!" I said to Jenny.
CLICK. As I paused the movie.
"That was quick!" She replied.
"Be right back." I said, as I hopped up from the couch, ran up the stairs, opened the door, and greeted the delivery person outside.
"Here ya go." He said, pulling the oversized pizza box out of his delivery bag and handing it to me.
"Thanks." I replied, before attempting to balance the pizza box and rummage through my wallet for a tip. But all I had was a twenty. "Got change?"
He then proceeded to rummage through his own wallet, looking for the proper change, before handing a ten and two fives back to me.
"Here, thanks again." I said, handing him the ten, waving goodbye, closing the door, and running back downstairs.
But when I got back down to my apartment, I made a horrifying discovery...
…Jenny, crawling into the crevasse feet first, half her body nearly submerged into the ground.
"Jenny, no!" I screamed, as I dropped the pizza box, ran over, and pulled her out of the chasm.
"Huh? What's going on?" She asked, as if awoken from a dream.
"You were crawling into the crevasse." I said, still catching my breath.
"What?" She replied, confused, and rightfully so.
I spent the better part of the next thirty minutes trying to explain everything to Jenny. The crevasse. The voices. Why I hadn't told her about the voices. How I had nearly crawled inside the crevasse. And how she had almost done the same.
But as one can imagine, it was all a bit too much for a fourth date, causing Jenny to leave in a panic, and likely, never contact me again.
Now I'm left here, sitting by myself, staring at the crevasse with the movie's audio on as loud as possible, as I wonder who's been whispering, if they'll ever stop, and what I should do next.
2024.05.13 16:26 Processter How would I start a 3d printing business, if I had to restart after 10 years. 15 “things” I would need.
I’ve shared my story on how I started, ran for 10 years, and remotely sold my 3dp business HERE.
Now I would like to speculate on How I would start it if I had to do it again. Why? 2 reasons:
I concentrate on the business side since the 3dp business is first of all a business, and I go through with it as I would’ve done it (not just some average avatar model).
This article doesn’t cover everything and simplifies some parts, but I tried to make it as real and in-depth as possible since the devil is in the details.
But I will revisit this very important question (let's call it a “vision”) as soon as I have a meaningful chunk of data and experience.
For that, I need to pick a place (3dp business is place-bound to a certain degree). Let's say a city - Austin - TX.
Note here - the bigger city, the better.
Now I need 3 lists:
I need general high-frequency keywords as well as Google suggestions and low-frequency keywords. The broader the scope, the better. There is a free tool called Keyword Planner (it also provides a click cost estimation for Google ads) inside a Google Ads account. If you don’t use Google ads, you can pick any keyword search tool out there.
Now I need to sort it, vet out unneeded ones, and separate them into groups based on intent (informational or commercial). I will also create a list of “minus” words (will use them later).
When it is all done, I need to assemble a “core”: a few groups of keywords united by intention.
If I don’t use keys/groups for commercial purposes, I may use them for info articles (SEO). The most visited (by a long shot) page on the site, which I sold as a part of the business was “The History of 3d printing”.
📜 Research should also include many other “places”, basically one should identify where potential customers hang out, what they need (their problems), and how one can reach them, and as a result will have some potential acquisition channels, and a list of “problems” to form an offer with.
I will only cover the fastest and the one I know best - Google ads (+ a bit of SEO for the long game). This channel corresponds rather well, with my understanding, of where my “target audience” may be (more on that below).
I know what I won't do - I won't try to go for the cheapest price - it is a road to nowhere. I may go for it once or twice to snatch an order, which will be beneficial to my portfolio, but that is it!
Now I also understand how my competitors interact with their customers and what I can offer in this regard.
Usually, the latter shall be detailed like: I need to reach X revenue/per day, to get Y rev per month, and for that, I will need Z inquiries and so on... But as I am just starting, it may not make a lot of sense, since there are no "base" numbers. But I will use that type of planning as soon as I have those numbers (after 6-12 months).
I also will align the plan with my vision, and maybe add some details to it, based on the data I’ve gathered.
I will have a somewhat united note/doc with actionable tasks, equipped with due dates (those are very important), and an overall plan.
I like to unify all of the above (lists, vision, tasks…) as a project in a project management software (later about that). Much easier to manage and keep track of.
This offer will be presented on my site, in my ads, and everywhere else.
I need to describe CLEARLY what do I do exactly, for whom, and why those people should take their business to me (competitive advantages).
I pick a name, and domain name and make a logo. I keep in mind that they are a part of the offer (everything is), and I keep them as short, direct, and close to the point as possible. I squeeze a relevant keyword in if I can.
Before I decide I type the name into the search and see what pops up (don’t skip that part).
Now I can make a site. I pick one of the No-code options to create it myself or delegate it. Keep in mind that you will need to correct and change the site: an offer (text. headings), portfolio, blog (for SEO purposes), services, etc. The no-code solution will allow you to do that yourself.
It will be a landing page (in the beginning), and it will include:
The “art” of creating a Title, H1, and the rest of the text, headings, and attributes is a delicate dance between the need to be different from competitors, the need to incorporate the right keywords, basic SEO guidelines, and most importantly - to present a compelling offer.
📜 An important thing to keep in mind - your first screen should tell, straight and clearly - what services you provide, for whom, and why a visitor should click your CTA, or continue reading.
Last thing - make sure that it looks fine and loads quickly on mobile. More than half of the traffic will be from there.
Research says, that If it loads more than 3 seconds - more than 70% of people bounce.
Check your speed here - https://pagespeed.web.dev/
There is A LOT more to that, but it is beyond the scope of this article.
Google ads. As I just starting, I need to be as targeted as possible. So I will:
Why?
I will use exact match, fix (pin) headings and descriptions, and practically make "an old school" text ad from a responsive search ad. I will have to do different ads for different keywords (if the keyword or phrase is matched in the title, conversion is higher); Yes, it will be more work, but results will be better, and controllable.
Just how I like them.
Now I will compose my "SEO plan", I will:
I won't cover social media here, since its plenty of info on that topic.
From my experience, if I plan (and I do) to offer 3d printing services to businesses (B2B), social media (with the exception of LinkedIn maybe, not sure nowadays what is what) is not exactly a place for “fishing” (I might be wrong).
I will not go deep into the business structure (LLCs or sole proprietorships), just say that you need one. Figure out what works best in your case, but note: if you are planning (envisioning) to sell your business one day (or a part of it) - you will need it to be at least an LLC.
This structure (as stated in the name), also limits your liability, which is not a bad thing. One more thing that does that, and at times viewed as a formality - is a contract.
I’ve learned to appreciate contracts and pay attention to their "design". The contract sets expectations, protects both you and your client, and serves as an extension to your offer - a clear, correct, and honest contract, that picks up on promises you’ve made will reassure your client that you are a trustworthy professional.
Create a clear, correct contract template (or templates), seek professional help/advice if needed, and try not to overcomplicate it (easier-smaller the better).
📜 Before the contract, expectations are set during all interactions with a client: nuances, limitations, examples, samples, etc. As the number of interactions with clients starts to grow you will notice repetitive patterns in questions and answers. Create a base with answer templates - those saved me a ton of time and improved the quality of my communication.
If you plan to start such a business, you may already have some, and/or possess the needed knowledge in the matter, but I still going to say a few things. No specific models, or vendors though, since there is a lot of printer-related content out there, and the scene is rapidly (wink) changing.
I would try to pick one type of printer (or at least a vendor) and stick to it. Benefits:
Note here: your choice shall also be based on your perceived goal (niche you want to end up with/customers you want to serve), and you may need different types of printers for that.
Depending on my situation, I may not need an office/working space right from the start (at least not until the idea has been validated). If I do, I would get something with a space to grow (aligned with my plan/goals), but I would try not to jump over my head with it.
I will need:
Management software and CRM might not be obvious must-haves, but they are if I want to make it into a controllable and growing business (and I do).
There is no other way, look at any business that made it - they all without exception use such systems.
One more thing - all business decisions shall be based on data: how would I know, for example, if my ads campaign is making (and how much) or losing money, without knowing what my average check, margin, or LTV is for any type of service for a needed time period?
So I’ve got:
If you like it/are passionate about it/good at it (the most important factor in my opinion.) - it certainly might be.
I’ve planned to go with the B2B service model (on-demand manufacturing), and that trend will only grow over time.
Since we talked about the US, let's take a look at this article and specifically the chart of Construction spending on US manufacturing https://www.businessinsider.com/us-building-factories-census-data-chips-act-inflation-reduction-act-2023-6?op=1 + big new “infrastructure rebuild projects” might be somewhere around the corner.
What does it all have to do with a small 3dp service? The economy is an interconnected system. All of those “big projects” will require a lot of smaller contractors/suppliers, and they will need smaller ones…and that is where I come in.
I hope you got some value out of it.
Thanks for reading.
submitted by Processter to Entrepreneur [link] [comments]
Now I would like to speculate on How I would start it if I had to do it again. Why? 2 reasons:
- When it was time to sell, I discovered, that the most valuable assets of my business were NOT the printers or production base and that I could've significantly grown and therefore increased business value if I did certain things a certain way.
I concentrate on the business side since the 3dp business is first of all a business, and I go through with it as I would’ve done it (not just some average avatar model).
This article doesn’t cover everything and simplifies some parts, but I tried to make it as real and in-depth as possible since the devil is in the details.
- I am starting new business projects right now, and the path I am taking is almost the same (minus printers basically) path;
Vision
First I need to ask myself: what kind of 3dp business would I like to start? It may be hard to answer right at the start, but I do know 4 things:- I want it to be service-based (at least in the beginning, then I may consider a hybrid: service+product model);
- I want it to be B2B (higher check, less transactional costs);
- I want to gravitate towards big/complicated models;
- I will offer some post-processing (get hand dirty, mot many others willing to do that);
But I will revisit this very important question (let's call it a “vision”) as soon as I have a meaningful chunk of data and experience.
Research
Then I will conduct research.For that, I need to pick a place (3dp business is place-bound to a certain degree). Let's say a city - Austin - TX.
Note here - the bigger city, the better.
Now I need 3 lists:
- First is a List of keywords with average monthly searches and cost of clicks for different areas:
- Austin;
- Other big cities nearby;
- State of Texas;
- Nearby states;
- The whole of the US.
I need general high-frequency keywords as well as Google suggestions and low-frequency keywords. The broader the scope, the better. There is a free tool called Keyword Planner (it also provides a click cost estimation for Google ads) inside a Google Ads account. If you don’t use Google ads, you can pick any keyword search tool out there.
Now I need to sort it, vet out unneeded ones, and separate them into groups based on intent (informational or commercial). I will also create a list of “minus” words (will use them later).
When it is all done, I need to assemble a “core”: a few groups of keywords united by intention.
If I don’t use keys/groups for commercial purposes, I may use them for info articles (SEO). The most visited (by a long shot) page on the site, which I sold as a part of the business was “The History of 3d printing”.
I will only cover the fastest and the one I know best - Google ads (+ a bit of SEO for the long game). This channel corresponds rather well, with my understanding, of where my “target audience” may be (more on that below).
- Second is a List of competitors. I will only need ones’ that will compete with me for my target demographic. Specifically, I would like to know:
- Domain name;
- Their offer (range of services, materials, unique propositions);
- Their main (and all significant pages) Title, H1, description, “subtitle”, unique selling propositions, and maybe a screenshot of HERO;
- Their CTAs (calls to action - do they use online calculators, contact form…).
- Third list - competitor’s prices. Based on my initial ”vision” (what/for whom I will try to do) I prepare a couple of inquiries, which I send to competitors to quote.
- Price;
- Fulfillment time;
- Conditions;
- How competitors interact with prospects.
- A somewhat complicated “technical” model of a middle size;
- Small-to-mid batch of parts (up to 100-300);
- A somewhat big (that will probably require printing in parts and assembly) model + separately I would inquire about painting;
I know what I won't do - I won't try to go for the cheapest price - it is a road to nowhere. I may go for it once or twice to snatch an order, which will be beneficial to my portfolio, but that is it!
Now I also understand how my competitors interact with their customers and what I can offer in this regard.
Plan
With that data gathered I am now ready to compose a “business plan” /set up business goals for 1-3 years, and lay out a tactical (more detailed) plan for a quarter or so.Usually, the latter shall be detailed like: I need to reach X revenue/per day, to get Y rev per month, and for that, I will need Z inquiries and so on... But as I am just starting, it may not make a lot of sense, since there are no "base" numbers. But I will use that type of planning as soon as I have those numbers (after 6-12 months).
I also will align the plan with my vision, and maybe add some details to it, based on the data I’ve gathered.
I will have a somewhat united note/doc with actionable tasks, equipped with due dates (those are very important), and an overall plan.
I like to unify all of the above (lists, vision, tasks…) as a project in a project management software (later about that). Much easier to manage and keep track of.
Offer and Site creation
Now I can form my offer.This offer will be presented on my site, in my ads, and everywhere else.
I need to describe CLEARLY what do I do exactly, for whom, and why those people should take their business to me (competitive advantages).
I pick a name, and domain name and make a logo. I keep in mind that they are a part of the offer (everything is), and I keep them as short, direct, and close to the point as possible. I squeeze a relevant keyword in if I can.
Before I decide I type the name into the search and see what pops up (don’t skip that part).
Now I can make a site. I pick one of the No-code options to create it myself or delegate it. Keep in mind that you will need to correct and change the site: an offer (text. headings), portfolio, blog (for SEO purposes), services, etc. The no-code solution will allow you to do that yourself.
It will be a landing page (in the beginning), and it will include:
- Title (shown as a first string in search);
- Description (shown as a second string in the search);
- H1 (main “title” shown on the top of the page)
- Subtitle (text below the H1, usually supports the H1 and includes unique selling points);
- Clear CTA (Call to action);
- Foto or video of what I’ve done (the visual representation of services works really well);
- Unique selling points (not included in the subtitle, or supporting/elaborating on them);
- Unique selling points;
- All other headers;
- All other text;
- Examples (what I’ve done) and/or testimonials - if I truly just starting I may need to make some examples of objects I would like to make (as close to desired nich as possible) and take GOOD photos of them (It can be powerful, that is what I did and people told me many times, that they “came” because of “beautiful” thing that we’ve done (“beautiful” is mostly attribute off a picture, then a thing);
- FAQ (those shall be questions that your customers ask you the most, I mean REAL questions - they work rather well as objection handlers);
- Clear CTA (Call to action);
The “art” of creating a Title, H1, and the rest of the text, headings, and attributes is a delicate dance between the need to be different from competitors, the need to incorporate the right keywords, basic SEO guidelines, and most importantly - to present a compelling offer.
Research says, that If it loads more than 3 seconds - more than 70% of people bounce.
Check your speed here - https://pagespeed.web.dev/
There is A LOT more to that, but it is beyond the scope of this article.
Traffic: Ads and SEO
Now I need traffic:Google ads. As I just starting, I need to be as targeted as possible. So I will:
- Vet keywords carefully, avoid high-frequency ones, and compose them into groups.
- Start with one or two groups, with a limited number of keywords with clear commercial intent.
- Limit the location to the city I am in.
- Add a minus keywords list. If a search query includes one of the words from the list (like FREE, or CHEAP) - ads won't be shown.
Why?
- It will greatly disperse the focus, and therefore results of my campaign.
- It is still not working properly, especially for small and/or “complicated” niches. In other words, it will waste my money, (relocate it to Google), without bringing back results (or at least as many).
I will use exact match, fix (pin) headings and descriptions, and practically make "an old school" text ad from a responsive search ad. I will have to do different ads for different keywords (if the keyword or phrase is matched in the title, conversion is higher); Yes, it will be more work, but results will be better, and controllable.
Just how I like them.
Now I will compose my "SEO plan", I will:
- Plan to add new "commercial" pages to the site (one page per meaningful keyword group) as I go.
- Create a schedule: after the main page is up, I will try to “deploy” them in 2-4 week intervals, starting with the most meaningful/impactful.
- Make Google index it through its search console after the first publishable version of the site is done. I will repeat the operation with every meaningful page I add, including info SEO pages (below).
- Form a few groups from keywords with informational intent, vet groups that align with my direction, and plan an article for each vetted group - a separate page on the site with a personal set of SEO attributes.
- Publish them with the same or longer intervals as for the "commercial" pages.
- Try to make those articles as valuable for the reader as possible. Everything I do shall be client-oriented (bring value), and user behavior is more and more important for SEO.
I won't cover social media here, since its plenty of info on that topic.
From my experience, if I plan (and I do) to offer 3d printing services to businesses (B2B), social media (with the exception of LinkedIn maybe, not sure nowadays what is what) is not exactly a place for “fishing” (I might be wrong).
Legal+
Moving along to the legal land.I will not go deep into the business structure (LLCs or sole proprietorships), just say that you need one. Figure out what works best in your case, but note: if you are planning (envisioning) to sell your business one day (or a part of it) - you will need it to be at least an LLC.
This structure (as stated in the name), also limits your liability, which is not a bad thing. One more thing that does that, and at times viewed as a formality - is a contract.
I’ve learned to appreciate contracts and pay attention to their "design". The contract sets expectations, protects both you and your client, and serves as an extension to your offer - a clear, correct, and honest contract, that picks up on promises you’ve made will reassure your client that you are a trustworthy professional.
Create a clear, correct contract template (or templates), seek professional help/advice if needed, and try not to overcomplicate it (easier-smaller the better).
3d printers and a space (finally here they are)
Well, and yeah, I need 3d printers to start a 3d printing business.If you plan to start such a business, you may already have some, and/or possess the needed knowledge in the matter, but I still going to say a few things. No specific models, or vendors though, since there is a lot of printer-related content out there, and the scene is rapidly (wink) changing.
I would try to pick one type of printer (or at least a vendor) and stick to it. Benefits:
- Somewhat stable overall quality;
- Same spare parts;
- Same repair and maintenance routine;
- Same working protocols;
- Same slicing…
Note here: your choice shall also be based on your perceived goal (niche you want to end up with/customers you want to serve), and you may need different types of printers for that.
Depending on my situation, I may not need an office/working space right from the start (at least not until the idea has been validated). If I do, I would get something with a space to grow (aligned with my plan/goals), but I would try not to jump over my head with it.
One software to control it all
There is one more thing that I will need right from the start (because I don’t want to replicate my own mistakes) - a software suite to manage the business. Getting it from the start will provide the most leverage and set me up on the right path.I will need:
- CRM - all work with a client: pricing, offers, deals, followups, deadlines, docs… +
- ERP - control and management of all resources: materials, printers, team… +
- Production scheduling +
- Maintenance, Repairs, Spare parts, and materials control +
- Team + Docs + Files storage + Contractors + Spending + everything else.
Management software and CRM might not be obvious must-haves, but they are if I want to make it into a controllable and growing business (and I do).
There is no other way, look at any business that made it - they all without exception use such systems.
One more thing - all business decisions shall be based on data: how would I know, for example, if my ads campaign is making (and how much) or losing money, without knowing what my average check, margin, or LTV is for any type of service for a needed time period?
Summary and Q&A
There is a lot more to that, but it is already too long.So I’ve got:
- List of keywords;
- List of competitors;
- Price research (and base price level as a result);
- A plan;
- An offer;
- Name and logo;
- Website (with offer and good photos of done jobs on it);
- Google ads campaign (or other acquisition channel, start from one you know best/where your customers are);
- SEO plan;
- Legal entity;
- Contract templates;
- “Sales templates” base (those collected on the go, but you may already have something since you talked to people before);
- Printers;
- Some physical space;
- Management system/software (like this one)
- To get paid in advance. ALWAYS, at least partially;
- To do extra for customers. If I can, when I can;
- To be patient- business is a marathon, not a sprint;
- Is the 3d printing business a good business to start?
If you like it/are passionate about it/good at it (the most important factor in my opinion.) - it certainly might be.
I’ve planned to go with the B2B service model (on-demand manufacturing), and that trend will only grow over time.
Since we talked about the US, let's take a look at this article and specifically the chart of Construction spending on US manufacturing https://www.businessinsider.com/us-building-factories-census-data-chips-act-inflation-reduction-act-2023-6?op=1 + big new “infrastructure rebuild projects” might be somewhere around the corner.
What does it all have to do with a small 3dp service? The economy is an interconnected system. All of those “big projects” will require a lot of smaller contractors/suppliers, and they will need smaller ones…and that is where I come in.
- Why the service model?
- I know how to do it (done it for 10 years), the data above backs the idea up, and I still see a lot of upsides and opportunities there (aside from the data).
- It is a lot easier to “search” for product ideas - they come to you (for that you will have to have a B2C “department” though). I’ve recently talked to a few 3dp business owners (and read a few stories over the years), and almost all of them had their product ideas brought to them by clients.
- Is it profitable?
I hope you got some value out of it.
Thanks for reading.
2024.05.13 15:04 Crazy-Concern8080 Accept
Well, this is the final story I can think of for Naeriu. If there are any more situations you'd like to see him in, be sure to comment on them and I’ll see if I can’t work with them. I’ve been inspired by comments before, it can absolutely happen again.
The first story is here: Endure
The second story is here: Persist
And the thrid story's here: Strive
Being accepted is something everyone wants to be, but sometimes people can’t accept you for who you are. Sometimes, in the most heartbreaking cases, it’s someone you are close to.
Shout out to SpacePaladin15 for the universe.
Memory Transcription Subject: Naeriu, Kolshian Missionary
Date [Standardized Human Time]: January 11, 2150
I couldn’t help but feel nervous as I rode in the shuttle. Even if I knew I was safe here, I wasn’t scared of anything physically dangerous. This planet had gone mostly untouched by the wars that had plagued the outside universe, left alone orbiting an insignificant star in an unimportant location. The only thing useful in this solar system was the planet itself, an agro-world devoted to having as many high-yield farms as possible.
It was a beautiful marble from above, swirling vibrant colors painting the surface intricately. The polar oceans almost made it look like a tennis ball, funnily enough. I could even see some of the larger farms from above, large patches of brown, miscolored green, or any other number of colors broadcasting what vegetables were being grown.
Where there weren’t farms, there were prairies or small forests, the only refuge for any animal, predator or not, to avoid the ire of the farmers. Herbivores would ruin crops and carnivores would taint them, there was no winning against the farmers. However, in recent years, there has been an ecological comeback with the help of the Humans.
Forests were a little bit larger, pests were killed a little less ruthlessly, and the farmers' hatred toward Humans grew evermore. While they were not outright hostile, I could only be thankful I had not heard what they had said behind closed doors.
This planet, Toktkala, was once my home, but now it couldn’t feel any more strange to me. I could only pray for more strength for what I was about to face, being a supporter of Humans and an open believer of Christ was sure to have me ostracized by everyone. I had a feeling that there were only two refuges for me; the UN embassy, something that was never not swarmed with protesters, and my childhood home.
That was the reason my stomach felt like it was turned inside out, I had finally found the time to find my family again. It wasn’t difficult, they hadn’t moved away from the house, but I had broken all contact with them after the Battle of Earth. That was fourteen Earth years ago, fifteen on Toktkala. Fifteen years of no contact, left wondering the fate of their oldest son, I couldn’t fathom what that could have done to them. I wondered if they were even still together, after losing my little sister they were already stressed, losing me might have broken them. It made me feel guilty already, and I didn’t even know if it was true. Hopefully, they managed to stay together for my little brother, Bolop always deserved the best.
I wonder if he hated me, blaming me for our parents’ divorce. I wonder if he hated me for leaving for the military in the first place. I wonder what my parents will say, seeing their dead son on their doorstep.
The uncertainty ate away at me, but the only way to cure it was to face it, and I intend to face it head-on and with full honesty. I’ll take everything they throw at me on the chin and keep walking, relieved no matter the outcome.
The shuttle touched down in one of the very few spaceports built on the planet, all of which were humble in the worst way. Frequent traffic wasn’t a problem, so they had all been equipped with the bare necessities to be classified as a spaceport. Most were little more than a pad, a few administrative buildings, and a luggage check. The only one with any extra expense was located in the only city on the entire planet, on the complete opposite side of where I needed to be.
However, the underfunded port might have been a boon in the end, as it let me experience the rural air sooner. Nostalgia flooded my mind as the familiar scent reignited memories from my childhood. Running through fields with my mother, watching the sunset with my father, eating a home-cooked bowl of kotla on the porch, climbing the lone tree in the backyard when I was sad, swinging from it when I was happy, there were so many melancholic memories tied to this smell, and I would never get tired of them.
I gathered what little luggage I brought with me and waited for a bus to pick me up, mixed feelings caused me to stare off into the distance. It felt great to finally be back in the warm, welcoming, slightly humid air of Toktkala, but that just meant I was one step closer to facing my family. I wouldn’t and couldn’t back down, but that didn’t make me any less nervous.
“Feeling okay, deary? You look like you’re about to run away.”
I blinked as I turned to face the lady, slightly surprised that anyone would bother talking to me. She was an older Kolshian, decorated in old-timey jewelry and carrying an expensive-looking bag. I could tell from her thick accent that she was a Toktkala native, the people from her tended to take their time in everything, including speaking.
I accepted the distraction with a sigh, causing her to sit down and pay attention. “I’m fine, just nervous.”
“Aww, what for? I don’t know anyone who could be down in weather like this. Haven't had a nice day like this in a while.”
“Well, you see, I haven’t been home in a long time. Fifteen years, give or take.”
“Oh deary, that’s wonderful! I’m so glad you could finally make it home.”
“Yeah… I guess. It’s just, what has changed since I left. I haven’t said or heard a single word from my parents since the war, I don’t even know if they are still together. I-I know where they live, but that’s about all I know about my parents. What if they don’t recognize me? What if they hate me for leaving and not saying anything? And I’ve changed so much, I’m not sure they would even accept me for who I am now. I know I have to do this, I’m not backing down no matter what, but that doesn’t make me any less anxious.”
She was quiet for a long moment. “That is quite the predicament. Fifteen years is a long time to not speak with someone, but always remember, it is never too late to reconnect.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle and grab my cross. “Kinda like me and…”
“What was that deary?”
“Uh, nothing important. Now that I’ve given you my side, I think it’s only fair you give me yours.”
She shifted on the bench. “Oh well, there’s not much to say. Just going back to town after a visit off planet. A buyer was looking to buy some crops in bulk and I went out to meet him for some discussion. Really nice boy, almost as old as you.”
“Ma’am, I’m thirty-two.”
She waved a tentacle in chucked. “Well everyone is a boy when you are as old as me, deary.”
I let myself laugh. “Oh you can’t be that old, you barely look a day over sixty!”
She pressed a tentacle to her chest. “Well, I’m flattered. I guess there still are some gentlemen in this world.”
“Oh I think there are plenty, they just don’t get the chance to act like them.”
She tilted her head to the side. “That’s one way of looking at it.”
We fell into silence for a moment, but with no bus in sight, it would be better to keep talking. “If you don’t mind my asking, what kind of crops do you sell?”
She clicked her tongue. “Oh, all kinds, but I think the one you're asking about is the stuff I talked about earlier, am I right?”
I raised a tentacle as if I were surrendering, noticing a bus cresting over the horizon as I did. “You got me.”
“That was some dlut, you know the stuff. Tall stocks, bright purple, sweetish tasting fruit.”
I leaned back. “Ah, dlut. I bet that would be good in a kotla in this weather.”
“It sure would. I just can’t get over who I was selling to.”
I turned to face her head-on. “And that is?”
“A Human, can you believe that?”
I laughed. “You know? I can actually. I’m…”
I considered my wording carefully. I didn’t want to offend this nice old lady accidentally. After a brief pause, I found the right words. “I’m surprised that someone from Toktkala would even be willing to talk with them though, considering the popular sentiment.”
“Oh I know, and I think it’s just dreadful that those people get so much hatred. I’ll be honest, I was in the same wagon at the beginning, but I came around once they became the only people buying my products. After what was revealed about our history… well, I don’t think I need to tell you of all people how Kolshians were treated.”
“Trust me, I know. I just think it’s kind of ironic that Humans, people we all seemed hell-bent on making hate us, were the first to forgive.”
She sighed. “I just wish some of the other foolhardy people here could see that too. With any luck, your parents are like us.”
I nodded as the bus pulled to a stop. “Yeah, maybe. This was a nice chat, hope you have a wonderful day.”
She waved me off. “With a little luck, we’ll see each other again. Oh, what’s your name.”
I paused and pivoted before I stepped on the bus. “I’m Naeriu, and you are?”
“I’m Moelly. And I hope to see you too.”
I waved to her one final time as the bus accelerated away, feeling much better having talked with someone instead of just dwelling on my feelings. I felt more hopeful about my future now that the idea of my parents not hating Humans was rolling around in my head, it let me believe there was a chance my parents might not disown me. Dad was always supportive of me when I said I wanted to join, he had always had complete faith in the Federation, but Mom might be a little more lenient, even if she also held the Federation in high regard.
I wonder if they became the type to claim the Humans faked it all and Nikonus’ accidental confession was fabricated. There were a lot of those kinds of people still around to this day, almost twenty years after the war ended. I could only pray that they would realize the error in their ways and accept reality sooner rather than later.
I stared out of the window for a long time, passing the time by reliving every field, tree, and house that passed by the window. I couldn’t pull my eyes away even for a second, everything looked so familiar, but at the same time, just different enough to make it strange. Some things were out of place or missing, while others were just how I remember them. It was surreal to see how my childhood home had changed, and I could feel my anxiety bubbling back up just as we reached the stop I needed to get off at.
I tugged the suitcase behind me, thanking and tipping the bus driver as I left. He responded with a simple huff of acknowledgment before driving off. I watched him for only a moment before turning around.
At the end of a long driveway, standing just as tall as I remember it, flanked on both sides by fields of budding crops, was my childhood home. Vines crawled up one side of the house, a decoration that Mom refused to cut down despite Dad’s objections. There was an ever-so-slightly rusted shed peeking out from the back, inside should be all of the farming equipment used to control the drones and irrigation systems. Even further behind that, there was a tall, lonely-looking tree with a small swing hanging from one of its sturdy branches.
Everything looked the same, down to the plants on the window sill.
I decided I needed to pray one last time before I met my parents, silently mumbling to myself as I did. I asked God for the wisdom to know what to say, for the courage to face their questions, and for the strength to stand tall if they ridicule me for my path in life. I had prayed like this many times before, and I was surely going to continue praying after.
I finished the prayer with the sign of the cross and a gentle kiss on the cross around my neck as I reached the porch, looking up with hesitation as I climbed the steps. I set my luggage aside and took a deep breath, staring at the doorbell. Every question and wandering thought I had raced through my mind, causing me to stand stunned for at least a minute until finally I shook them out of my head and pressed the button with all of my might.
A strange sense of release and simultaneous anxiety flooded me. There was no turning back now, even if I ran away they could still easily see me. All I could do now was stand here and face the music.
There was a commotion inside, some thumping going down the stairs, and a loud voice calling out. “Hold on, I’m coming.”
It was Mom’s voice. Even if it was muffled through the walls and slightly more hoarse than the last time I heard it, it was still Mom’s. The first of the doors was opened, but Mom hadn’t seen me through the glass one yet. She was looking off to the side, setting something on the side table as she spoke.
“I’m sorry it took so long, Bullo, I was in the middle of making a meal.”
She reached up and began opening the glass door, only to stop in her tracks as she finally saw me.
“Who…”
I could see the gears turning in her head, and the slow realization dawned upon her of just who I was. Tears began welling up in her eyes and her mouth hung open. With a quiet sob, she covered her mouth, trying to form any words. She could only cry and shake her head before stepping forward and hugging me warmly.
“I always knew…”
I returned the hug eagerly, rubbing the back of her head. I tried to find words to convey the flurry of emotions, but couldn’t. “I’m back, Mom.”
She pulled away for a second, wiping a final few tears in her eyes. Suddenly her demeanor changed from overwhelming joy to concern. “Where have you been? Oh, my little baby, where have you been?”
I sucked in a nervous breath. “On Earth, Sillis, Fahl, Skalga… I’ve been everywhere.”
I could see her freeze up for a second. “Then… then why didn’t you come back?”
“I… I felt like you wouldn’t accept me. And every day I didn’t return, I felt like you would only grow to hate me.”
Mom stepped forward, caressing my face with a gentle touch. “Sweetie, I could never hate you. There is nothing you could ever do to make me hate you.”
“I… Thank you, Mom, you don’t know how much I needed to hear that.”
She stepped back and held the door open. “Of course, sweetie, now come inside. You have to tell me all about, well, everything that has happened to you, from the beginning. And while you are at it, I’ll finish making dinner. I bet you missed your mom’s kotla, didn’t you?”
I laughed as I tugged my luggage through the door. “More than you will ever know. Every other bowl I’ve had has left me wanting something more, but I know that the only place I could find it was here.”
Mom laughed as she pulled out a few plates. “Love, a mother’s specialty. Is that the reason you came back, just for some food?”
I sat at the dinner table, taking in the house around me. It would be considered old-timey by modern standards, though that just meant that not everything was super high-tech. There were still rustic aspects to my house, pictures still in frames and not screens, religious symbols that have been passed down for generations, wood used over metal in some places, and rustic pieces of tech that my father refused to change, claiming that it would outlast all of us. It was old, slightly musky, and it was home.
“That’s not the only reason, it’s more like a bonus. I just kept thinking about home, how I effectively abandoned you, and I needed to come back to give you closure. Thoughts of home would pop into my head at the most random times, like signs that I should come back, so I followed.”
Mom turned around from the stove, setting down a steaming pot on the counter before sitting next to me. “Well, I am certainly glad you decided to do so. Your father and I have both been torn up by what we thought was your death, having you here now is a blessing for us both.”
“Speaking of, where is Dad?”
Mom waved a tentacle. “Oh, he’s off protesting at the embassy again. At his age, he should be staying home and watching the field, but he’s a stubborn oaf and when he’s determined to do something he does it, you know that. I told him to give it up and to come home, but he resents the Humans and won't rest ‘till they are off this planet, maybe not even then.”
I closed my eyes for a moment and looked away. This was the worst outcome. Not only did Dad not like the Humans, it sounded like he outright hated them. I’m glad I prayed because I had a feeling that a shouting match was on the horizon.
“Is something wrong?”
I sighed. “Well, we might have… conflicting opinions on the Humans. I’m worried that we might fight.”
Mom sucked in a breath as if she was preparing a response, but it died in her throat before she could speak. She took a moment to recollect her thoughts, confusion growing in her eyes, before shaking her head.
“It’ll be fine. Your father loves you, no matter who you’ve become. You will always be his son, our son. There is nothing that can change that. I don’t know the experiences you've had, maybe I don’t want to know, but I know that you’re an adult now and can choose your own path, even if I don’t agree with it wholly.”
I grabbed Mom’s tentacle. “Thank you, Mom, you have no idea how much that means to me. I was so worried that you wouldn’t accept me, it was eating me alive. I just hope that Dad feels the same way. He is stubborn, you said it yourself.”
“I know he-”
The sound of the garage door opening cut Mom off and caused my nerves to flare up again. Through the walls, I could hear him shut the car door and stomp his way into the house. He had always been a heavy-stepper, but these seemed a little heavier than normal. Maybe he had just put on a little weight since I last saw him.
“Muola, I’m-”
Dad froze as he turned into the dining room, stopping suddenly as he saw me. He looked me up and down, putting the pieces together in his mind. He dropped a bag to the floor carelessly and took a half-step forward.
“Naeriu… you’re… you're alive!”
He rushed forward as fast as his old limbs could carry him, meeting me with a hug just as I stood from my seat. He rocked me back and forth, blubbering with joy and trying to bury his head in my chest.
“My son’s alive!”
He pulled himself back. “Where have you been? I thought…”
His breath hitched in his throat. “I thought you were dead.”
I held his tentacle with compassion. “I’m sorry, I was just so… I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be, all that matters now is that you are back with us, safe and sound.”
We stared at each other for a moment before Dad couldn’t sit still any longer, almost jumping toward the table. “You have to tell me all about it. Start to finish. You must have some interesting stories for us, right? I mean, you were gone for fifteen years, there has to have been something interesting going on, right? You could start with the story of that necklace, it looks pretty interesting. Is it something from Sillis?”
I glanced down to the cross on my neck as I pulled out a chair for him, sitting back down in mine with a huff after I did. “Not quite. It’s a later story. Why don’t we start from the beginning, like you said?”
Dad flung a tentacle in excitement. “Sure, yeah, from the beginning.”
I took in a deep breath. “After my last call with you, the Battle of Earth started. There wasn’t much I could do with my training, so all I could do was watch and wait. I was scared, and I only got more scared when boarding alarms went off. After they captured the ship, we had to evacuate. With no other option, I had to get in a life pod with the Humans.”
Both Mom and Dad gasped. “That must have been horrible, sweetie, how did you get out?”
Dad shook his head. “That must have been a terrible experience. I couldn’t imagine being trapped in such a cramped space with those monsters. Muola is right, how did you get out?”
I brushed past the casual Human-hate and continued with my story. “I didn’t. We landed in the northern part of the planet and it was late fall. All you need to know is that it was very, very cold. We had to travel with the Humans to avoid freezing to death, clinging to the belief that maybe we would be handed off to an authority later on and not be eaten. In the end, that was the best choice I had ever made. We made it to a cabin, but not after losing two others, a Harchen named Tekt and a Krakotl named Kulilim. It was just me and Kotern.”
Mom gasped. “How is Kotern? You two seemed like such good friends.”
I didn’t respond immediately, letting Dad’s mind run wild. “Did… T-they ate him, didn’t they?”
I shook my head. “No, in fact, they never even hit us. For the next few days, all we did was talk with each other. Just Me, Kotern, the Humans, and a Venlil named Leenek that we had picked up along the way. We just sat and talked.”
I could see the confusion building on Dad’s face. “Were they threatening you?”
I shook my head again. “Only one, Billy, the leader. He was the only one to make any threats, but he never acted on it. He was just angry. Some never even spoke to me, a few had very deep conversations, but only one ever made threats. One, named Brandon, talked to me about God for a while, after I told him that he had probably lost his entire family.”
Dad tilted his head in confusion, but didn’t make any comments, letting me continue with my story. “One day, Kotern goes out to gather some wood. The Humans had rope so we tied it on to him, but he didn’t come back. They sent a soldier named Valya out to find him, and comforted me the entire time he was gone. Around an hour passes and Valya returns, but Kotern isn’t with him.”
Mom leaned forward, engrossed in the story. “So what happened?”
I sighed. “I hid away in a room for a while, depressed that I had lost my friend, when I heard a bunch of arguing. I come out to see what’s happening, and Kotern is there, standing in the middle of the room, waving a pistol around and screaming for them to give me back to him. There were a bunch of people with him, led by a captain named Suklal. They wanted the cabin for shelter, but it ended up in a gunfight. Kotern died first.”
Dad sunk his head in sadness. “He was such a nice boy, you two seemed to get along so well. It’s a shame the Humans did that to him.”
“It wasn’t the Humans. Suklal shot him in the head after Kotern wouldn’t fall back. The Humans only started shooting after Suklal shot first.”
I let out a deep sigh, remembering how everything played out right in front of me. Even now his death brings tears to my eyes, he was such a nice man, he had just been misguided by the horrible teachings of the Federation. Teachings that I knew my Mom and Dad still clung to.
Wanting something to take my mind off of his death, I looked over to Mom. “I think I want some kotla now.”
Mom let out a breath. “Of course sweetie, I was wondering when you would ask.”
Mom got up to get some dishes, but Dad kept staring at me with a growing look of concern and confusion. “Hey son, what’s your opinion on the Humans.”
The bowls in Mom’s hands clattered slightly as everyone froze. I was hoping that I would be able to ease Dad into my opinion, but it seemed he wanted to take the more direct approach. “Well, I’m going to be honest, I like them. In fact, I love them. I love them the same way that I love everyone else. I wouldn’t be here without them, I wouldn’t be the man I am here today without them. It was a Human who pulled me out of the gutter and gave me direction in life.”
Dad sunk his head slightly. “They got to my son…”
I raised a tentacle. “Now, Dad, they didn’t get me. I came to this decision on my own. I looked at all the facts and saw that they were just as sapient as everyone else. They feel empathy, sadness, and regret just like all of us, and not just watered-down versions.”
He closed his eyes and raised his head. “Son, it’s going to be fine, we'll get you some help a-and cure this brainwashing.”
“I’m not brainwashed, Dad, that doesn’t exist. I’m-”
I sighed. “I’m not being controlled by anyone, I’m still the same Naeriu, just older and with more experienced. I’ve been gone for fifteen years, I’m going to change a little, but I’m still me. I just want to come back and reconnect.”
Dad stuttered in his own breath. “But the Humans tried to kill you.”
“Only after we attacked them first. And I forgave them long ago. A-”
I cut myself off before I told Dad that I was a Christian, that might just send him over the edge. I’d have to save that for later, when he’s calmed down a little.
“Can we eat something before we get too into this, please?”
Mom set the bowls down, eagerly accepting the distraction. “Of course, the kotla should be finished setting now anyway.”
Mom reached over and grabbed a wooden ladle, scooping up hearty spoonfuls into the bowls before setting them in front of Dad and me. I could feel the warm steam hit my face, carrying the savory taste of the various vegetables with them. Among the healthy chunks, I could spot the purplish color of dlut floating, slightly lighter now that it had been boiled.
“It looks amazing Mom, I can’t wait to try it.”
But just as I raised my tentacle, I froze. I glanced at my father, who was watching me with concern, confusion, and a little bit of fear. “What’s wrong son?”
I had never eaten a meal without praying beforehand. Sure, I might have sped up a prayer if I was excruciatingly hungry or late for something, but I always found a way to include it. Dad would freak out if he found out about my faith, it would start a full-blown fight.
Should I skip this one time to avoid making a scene?
I blinked and shook my head, feeling disappointed in myself. No, I had never missed a prayer before now, and I wasn’t about to start. I am not ashamed of who I am, I am a Christian and I am proud of it. If that means that my father is going to fight with me, then so be it. I don’t care if he doesn’t accept me, I don’t need him to. I am a grown man, and even if the words he says hurt, I know that I am being true to myself and God.
I am not skipping my prayer.
Slowly, I raised my tentacle and tapped my forehead, before lowering it to my chest, then my left shoulder followed by my right. “Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
I repeated the sign of the cross and closed my prayer, keeping my eyes closed for a moment before grabbing the spoon and taking a bite. “It tastes amazing, Mom.”
She was too confused to speak, but Dad wasn’t. “What was that?”
“A prayer.”
“To who?”
“Christ.”
Dad shared a glance with Mom. “I don’t recognize any god named Christ.”
“That is because He is from Christianity, a Human religion.”
Everyone went silent for a moment, the words I said still ringing in their ears. Mom’s confusion only deepened, while Dad’s turned to anger. “What?! You-You worship a Human god?”
“Yes, I worship God. I am a Christian, a believer in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.”
Dad shook his head and laughed. “You’re not kidding… You really mean it. H-how?”
“I was at the lowest point in my entire life, Kotern had just died, I was alone on an alien planet, I was hungry, thirsty, tired, homeless, and broke. A Human named Ben brought me to a church, the St. Louis Cosmic Christian Church, and that’s where I found God. I opened myself up to Him, and I’ve never felt more safe in my entire life.”
Mom remained stunned, falling back into a seat while Dad stood up. “I-I don’t… I can’t believe this. I cannot accept this. You’re not my son. Naeriu would never… H-he’d never…”
Mom leaned forward. “Solue, calm down. Take a deep breath and-”
“I can’t calm down! Not after that reveal. My son worships Humans. My son…”
“No, Dad, I don’t worship Humans, I worship God.”
“A Human god! Who is a Human! I don’t know if this is better or worse than you coming out as a Linked Chains member, at least they don’t think predators are gods! What does your god call for, hmm? Killings? Blood sacrifices?”
“Dad, hold on, slow down and give me a chance.”
“No. I want you out of my house, now.”
Mom gasped. “Solue! That is our son.”
Dad didn’t even glance at Mom, ignoring the building tears in his eyes. “No, he’s not. He’s some freak trying to impersonate our son. I hate to tell you Muola, but our son died in that war, and he’s never coming back.”
His words sank into my heart, causing me to wince away and take a deep breath. With my eyes closed, barely holding back the tears, I set my spoon down and stood slowly from the table. “If that’s what you think, then I won’t bother you any longer. Mom, it was wonderful to have your food one last time. Dad, I’m sorry that you can’t accept the facts. I’m glad I could at least give you some closure, goodbye.”
I turned to gather what little luggage I had as Mom frantically jumped up from her seat. “Naeriu, wait! Just give us some time to talk, Solue and I are just confused, is all. Please, wait here, for me.”
I paused at the door and sighed. “Anything for you, Mom. I’ll be by the tree in the back.”
As soon as I closed the door behind me, I started to sob. Dad’s words had hurt me more than I imagined they would, twisting my insides around like he knew exactly what to say to hurt me the worst. I stumbled my way around the house, wiping tears away with each step. I could hear Mom and Dad arguing loudly through the wall, both of them screaming with each other over what to think about the situation, though the words were muffled enough that I couldn’t understand them. By the time I reached the tree, there was no hope of me catching a single word.
I wiped away a few final tears and looked up into the tree. The first thing I noticed was that the branch I had fallen from long ago had finally healed, however, it was fixed in a completely new direction. I can vividly remember when I fell from that branch and broke my leg. I had never seen my parents so worried in their entire lives. Dad must have broken every traffic law on the planet to get me as quickly as he could to a hospital. Mom told me that he couldn’t sit still while they were x-raying me, every second that passed felt like an eternity for him.
He cares for me, a lot, and that makes it difficult for him to accept that I’ve gone on my own path now. Of course, I’d be ecstatic to have him and Mom join me, but something told me that they wouldn’t be diverting from their generational ways. They were both rooted in the past, and the tradition that came with it, and that shaped their worldview to a rigid stance where everything stays the same. At least Mom was a little more accepting, though I knew she felt about the same as Dad did, she just didn’t vocalize it.
With a sigh, I slid against the tree, looking out over the fields as the sun set in the distance. It seemed as if my worst fears were coming true, they wouldn’t accept me for who I was. I had changed too much from the last time they had seen me, I might as well have been a new person to them.
After a long moment, Mom finally exited the house through the back door, closely followed by Dad. I stood with a huff as they approached, preparing myself for whatever they would say.
Mom spoke first. “Sweetie, uhm, we are sorry for the fight. It’s just, well, we have a hard time accepting what you say to be true.”
Mom paused for a moment and Dad picked up where she left off. “The last time we saw you, you were still just a boy, barely an adult, and you held… beliefs that aligned with ours.”
Mom glanced between Dad and me. “And now seeing you here in front of us, the age we were when we last saw you, with beliefs that completely go against everything we believed, that our religion taught…”
Dad sighed. “It’s a little much, son, and I’m… I’m sorry I… lashed out like that.”
I looked between them and stepped forward. “Mom, Dad, I don’t expect you to understand me, especially not on the first day of me being back, but just know that you accepting me means more than you will ever know. Thank you, and I love you, both of you.”
I embraced them both in a big group hug, rocking back and forth. Dad only hugged me for a brief moment before pulling away, but Mom clung to me for a long time. After she finally pulled away, she sniffled once more and wiped away a few final tears.
She laughed slightly and shook her head. “I just hope you can forgive us.”
I couldn’t help but melt at Mom’s concern. “Mom, Dad, you never even needed to ask. I forgave you as soon as the words were said. I love you both with all my heart, it will take more than harsh words to prevent me from forgiving you.”
I smiled. “Though, I wish I could have gotten some more kotla before it went cold.”
Dud huffed and turned around. “It should still be warm in the pot, but you better hurry.”
Mom and I watched him disappear into the house, not looking back to see if we were following him at all. Mom sighed before speaking. “He’ll come around, you know he will. He’s just principled. He has his way that he thinks is right and there is not a lot you can do to change that.”
I nodded. “I know that, but I’m sure he’ll be more accepting once he gives me a chance to explain what I believe in. And tell the rest of my story.”
“That will be nice to hear. I’d love to understand what you have been doing all of this time that prevented you from coming home.”
I opened my mouth to respond, only to realize something. “Oh! Now that I think about it, where is Bolop?”
Mom sighed. “He moved away, wanted to be free from Totkala’s chains, he said. Just like you, only he didn’t join the military, thankfully. Just moved away. Haven’t had much contact with him, as far as I know he’s on Fahl, but you know him. He can’t sit still to save his life, he might be all the way in Sivkit territory for all we know.”
“But you still have his info?”
“Yes, but with the time it takes for a message to reach him and the distance he has to travel to get to us…”
“I understand, but I’d still like to have it. I’d like to set up a meeting time sometime later.”
Mom stepped up the stairs to the back door, but paused when I didn’t follow her in. “Something wrong sweetie? The kotla is only going to get colder.”
“Nothing’s wrong, Mom, I just want a second to be alone. I’ll be right in.”
She nodded understandingly and slipped inside, leaving me alone to reflect. I turned around to face the sunset, taking a deep breath as it passed below the horizon slowly. My life had been completely turned around since I left home all those years ago. I became a soldier, attacked a planet, survived the freezing Alaska wilderness, lost my closest friend, and fell into a deep depression, even losing contact with my family. But it was anything but bad, from there I built my life back from nothing, found my faith in God, traveled all across the galaxy doing missionary work, met and talked with an Arxur, only to return home to my family finally. I’ve had some extreme ups and heart-wrenching downs, never knowing just what would happen next, but even now I don’t have any regrets.
Even when I’m being ridiculed for my faith or spat on for my species, I don’t regret a thing. I accept the challenges, uncertainty, and hate, even welcome it, because I know that I am living my best life.
I let out a content breath, smiled a warm smile, and turned to open the door, welcoming whatever would come next.
submitted by Crazy-Concern8080 to NatureofPredators [link] [comments]
The first story is here: Endure
The second story is here: Persist
And the thrid story's here: Strive
Being accepted is something everyone wants to be, but sometimes people can’t accept you for who you are. Sometimes, in the most heartbreaking cases, it’s someone you are close to.
Shout out to SpacePaladin15 for the universe.
Date [Standardized Human Time]: January 11, 2150
I couldn’t help but feel nervous as I rode in the shuttle. Even if I knew I was safe here, I wasn’t scared of anything physically dangerous. This planet had gone mostly untouched by the wars that had plagued the outside universe, left alone orbiting an insignificant star in an unimportant location. The only thing useful in this solar system was the planet itself, an agro-world devoted to having as many high-yield farms as possible.
It was a beautiful marble from above, swirling vibrant colors painting the surface intricately. The polar oceans almost made it look like a tennis ball, funnily enough. I could even see some of the larger farms from above, large patches of brown, miscolored green, or any other number of colors broadcasting what vegetables were being grown.
Where there weren’t farms, there were prairies or small forests, the only refuge for any animal, predator or not, to avoid the ire of the farmers. Herbivores would ruin crops and carnivores would taint them, there was no winning against the farmers. However, in recent years, there has been an ecological comeback with the help of the Humans.
Forests were a little bit larger, pests were killed a little less ruthlessly, and the farmers' hatred toward Humans grew evermore. While they were not outright hostile, I could only be thankful I had not heard what they had said behind closed doors.
This planet, Toktkala, was once my home, but now it couldn’t feel any more strange to me. I could only pray for more strength for what I was about to face, being a supporter of Humans and an open believer of Christ was sure to have me ostracized by everyone. I had a feeling that there were only two refuges for me; the UN embassy, something that was never not swarmed with protesters, and my childhood home.
That was the reason my stomach felt like it was turned inside out, I had finally found the time to find my family again. It wasn’t difficult, they hadn’t moved away from the house, but I had broken all contact with them after the Battle of Earth. That was fourteen Earth years ago, fifteen on Toktkala. Fifteen years of no contact, left wondering the fate of their oldest son, I couldn’t fathom what that could have done to them. I wondered if they were even still together, after losing my little sister they were already stressed, losing me might have broken them. It made me feel guilty already, and I didn’t even know if it was true. Hopefully, they managed to stay together for my little brother, Bolop always deserved the best.
I wonder if he hated me, blaming me for our parents’ divorce. I wonder if he hated me for leaving for the military in the first place. I wonder what my parents will say, seeing their dead son on their doorstep.
The uncertainty ate away at me, but the only way to cure it was to face it, and I intend to face it head-on and with full honesty. I’ll take everything they throw at me on the chin and keep walking, relieved no matter the outcome.
The shuttle touched down in one of the very few spaceports built on the planet, all of which were humble in the worst way. Frequent traffic wasn’t a problem, so they had all been equipped with the bare necessities to be classified as a spaceport. Most were little more than a pad, a few administrative buildings, and a luggage check. The only one with any extra expense was located in the only city on the entire planet, on the complete opposite side of where I needed to be.
However, the underfunded port might have been a boon in the end, as it let me experience the rural air sooner. Nostalgia flooded my mind as the familiar scent reignited memories from my childhood. Running through fields with my mother, watching the sunset with my father, eating a home-cooked bowl of kotla on the porch, climbing the lone tree in the backyard when I was sad, swinging from it when I was happy, there were so many melancholic memories tied to this smell, and I would never get tired of them.
I gathered what little luggage I brought with me and waited for a bus to pick me up, mixed feelings caused me to stare off into the distance. It felt great to finally be back in the warm, welcoming, slightly humid air of Toktkala, but that just meant I was one step closer to facing my family. I wouldn’t and couldn’t back down, but that didn’t make me any less nervous.
“Feeling okay, deary? You look like you’re about to run away.”
I blinked as I turned to face the lady, slightly surprised that anyone would bother talking to me. She was an older Kolshian, decorated in old-timey jewelry and carrying an expensive-looking bag. I could tell from her thick accent that she was a Toktkala native, the people from her tended to take their time in everything, including speaking.
I accepted the distraction with a sigh, causing her to sit down and pay attention. “I’m fine, just nervous.”
“Aww, what for? I don’t know anyone who could be down in weather like this. Haven't had a nice day like this in a while.”
“Well, you see, I haven’t been home in a long time. Fifteen years, give or take.”
“Oh deary, that’s wonderful! I’m so glad you could finally make it home.”
“Yeah… I guess. It’s just, what has changed since I left. I haven’t said or heard a single word from my parents since the war, I don’t even know if they are still together. I-I know where they live, but that’s about all I know about my parents. What if they don’t recognize me? What if they hate me for leaving and not saying anything? And I’ve changed so much, I’m not sure they would even accept me for who I am now. I know I have to do this, I’m not backing down no matter what, but that doesn’t make me any less anxious.”
She was quiet for a long moment. “That is quite the predicament. Fifteen years is a long time to not speak with someone, but always remember, it is never too late to reconnect.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle and grab my cross. “Kinda like me and…”
“What was that deary?”
“Uh, nothing important. Now that I’ve given you my side, I think it’s only fair you give me yours.”
She shifted on the bench. “Oh well, there’s not much to say. Just going back to town after a visit off planet. A buyer was looking to buy some crops in bulk and I went out to meet him for some discussion. Really nice boy, almost as old as you.”
“Ma’am, I’m thirty-two.”
She waved a tentacle in chucked. “Well everyone is a boy when you are as old as me, deary.”
I let myself laugh. “Oh you can’t be that old, you barely look a day over sixty!”
She pressed a tentacle to her chest. “Well, I’m flattered. I guess there still are some gentlemen in this world.”
“Oh I think there are plenty, they just don’t get the chance to act like them.”
She tilted her head to the side. “That’s one way of looking at it.”
We fell into silence for a moment, but with no bus in sight, it would be better to keep talking. “If you don’t mind my asking, what kind of crops do you sell?”
She clicked her tongue. “Oh, all kinds, but I think the one you're asking about is the stuff I talked about earlier, am I right?”
I raised a tentacle as if I were surrendering, noticing a bus cresting over the horizon as I did. “You got me.”
“That was some dlut, you know the stuff. Tall stocks, bright purple, sweetish tasting fruit.”
I leaned back. “Ah, dlut. I bet that would be good in a kotla in this weather.”
“It sure would. I just can’t get over who I was selling to.”
I turned to face her head-on. “And that is?”
“A Human, can you believe that?”
I laughed. “You know? I can actually. I’m…”
I considered my wording carefully. I didn’t want to offend this nice old lady accidentally. After a brief pause, I found the right words. “I’m surprised that someone from Toktkala would even be willing to talk with them though, considering the popular sentiment.”
“Oh I know, and I think it’s just dreadful that those people get so much hatred. I’ll be honest, I was in the same wagon at the beginning, but I came around once they became the only people buying my products. After what was revealed about our history… well, I don’t think I need to tell you of all people how Kolshians were treated.”
“Trust me, I know. I just think it’s kind of ironic that Humans, people we all seemed hell-bent on making hate us, were the first to forgive.”
She sighed. “I just wish some of the other foolhardy people here could see that too. With any luck, your parents are like us.”
I nodded as the bus pulled to a stop. “Yeah, maybe. This was a nice chat, hope you have a wonderful day.”
She waved me off. “With a little luck, we’ll see each other again. Oh, what’s your name.”
I paused and pivoted before I stepped on the bus. “I’m Naeriu, and you are?”
“I’m Moelly. And I hope to see you too.”
I waved to her one final time as the bus accelerated away, feeling much better having talked with someone instead of just dwelling on my feelings. I felt more hopeful about my future now that the idea of my parents not hating Humans was rolling around in my head, it let me believe there was a chance my parents might not disown me. Dad was always supportive of me when I said I wanted to join, he had always had complete faith in the Federation, but Mom might be a little more lenient, even if she also held the Federation in high regard.
I wonder if they became the type to claim the Humans faked it all and Nikonus’ accidental confession was fabricated. There were a lot of those kinds of people still around to this day, almost twenty years after the war ended. I could only pray that they would realize the error in their ways and accept reality sooner rather than later.
I stared out of the window for a long time, passing the time by reliving every field, tree, and house that passed by the window. I couldn’t pull my eyes away even for a second, everything looked so familiar, but at the same time, just different enough to make it strange. Some things were out of place or missing, while others were just how I remember them. It was surreal to see how my childhood home had changed, and I could feel my anxiety bubbling back up just as we reached the stop I needed to get off at.
I tugged the suitcase behind me, thanking and tipping the bus driver as I left. He responded with a simple huff of acknowledgment before driving off. I watched him for only a moment before turning around.
At the end of a long driveway, standing just as tall as I remember it, flanked on both sides by fields of budding crops, was my childhood home. Vines crawled up one side of the house, a decoration that Mom refused to cut down despite Dad’s objections. There was an ever-so-slightly rusted shed peeking out from the back, inside should be all of the farming equipment used to control the drones and irrigation systems. Even further behind that, there was a tall, lonely-looking tree with a small swing hanging from one of its sturdy branches.
Everything looked the same, down to the plants on the window sill.
I decided I needed to pray one last time before I met my parents, silently mumbling to myself as I did. I asked God for the wisdom to know what to say, for the courage to face their questions, and for the strength to stand tall if they ridicule me for my path in life. I had prayed like this many times before, and I was surely going to continue praying after.
I finished the prayer with the sign of the cross and a gentle kiss on the cross around my neck as I reached the porch, looking up with hesitation as I climbed the steps. I set my luggage aside and took a deep breath, staring at the doorbell. Every question and wandering thought I had raced through my mind, causing me to stand stunned for at least a minute until finally I shook them out of my head and pressed the button with all of my might.
A strange sense of release and simultaneous anxiety flooded me. There was no turning back now, even if I ran away they could still easily see me. All I could do now was stand here and face the music.
There was a commotion inside, some thumping going down the stairs, and a loud voice calling out. “Hold on, I’m coming.”
It was Mom’s voice. Even if it was muffled through the walls and slightly more hoarse than the last time I heard it, it was still Mom’s. The first of the doors was opened, but Mom hadn’t seen me through the glass one yet. She was looking off to the side, setting something on the side table as she spoke.
“I’m sorry it took so long, Bullo, I was in the middle of making a meal.”
She reached up and began opening the glass door, only to stop in her tracks as she finally saw me.
“Who…”
I could see the gears turning in her head, and the slow realization dawned upon her of just who I was. Tears began welling up in her eyes and her mouth hung open. With a quiet sob, she covered her mouth, trying to form any words. She could only cry and shake her head before stepping forward and hugging me warmly.
“I always knew…”
I returned the hug eagerly, rubbing the back of her head. I tried to find words to convey the flurry of emotions, but couldn’t. “I’m back, Mom.”
She pulled away for a second, wiping a final few tears in her eyes. Suddenly her demeanor changed from overwhelming joy to concern. “Where have you been? Oh, my little baby, where have you been?”
I sucked in a nervous breath. “On Earth, Sillis, Fahl, Skalga… I’ve been everywhere.”
I could see her freeze up for a second. “Then… then why didn’t you come back?”
“I… I felt like you wouldn’t accept me. And every day I didn’t return, I felt like you would only grow to hate me.”
Mom stepped forward, caressing my face with a gentle touch. “Sweetie, I could never hate you. There is nothing you could ever do to make me hate you.”
“I… Thank you, Mom, you don’t know how much I needed to hear that.”
She stepped back and held the door open. “Of course, sweetie, now come inside. You have to tell me all about, well, everything that has happened to you, from the beginning. And while you are at it, I’ll finish making dinner. I bet you missed your mom’s kotla, didn’t you?”
I laughed as I tugged my luggage through the door. “More than you will ever know. Every other bowl I’ve had has left me wanting something more, but I know that the only place I could find it was here.”
Mom laughed as she pulled out a few plates. “Love, a mother’s specialty. Is that the reason you came back, just for some food?”
I sat at the dinner table, taking in the house around me. It would be considered old-timey by modern standards, though that just meant that not everything was super high-tech. There were still rustic aspects to my house, pictures still in frames and not screens, religious symbols that have been passed down for generations, wood used over metal in some places, and rustic pieces of tech that my father refused to change, claiming that it would outlast all of us. It was old, slightly musky, and it was home.
“That’s not the only reason, it’s more like a bonus. I just kept thinking about home, how I effectively abandoned you, and I needed to come back to give you closure. Thoughts of home would pop into my head at the most random times, like signs that I should come back, so I followed.”
Mom turned around from the stove, setting down a steaming pot on the counter before sitting next to me. “Well, I am certainly glad you decided to do so. Your father and I have both been torn up by what we thought was your death, having you here now is a blessing for us both.”
“Speaking of, where is Dad?”
Mom waved a tentacle. “Oh, he’s off protesting at the embassy again. At his age, he should be staying home and watching the field, but he’s a stubborn oaf and when he’s determined to do something he does it, you know that. I told him to give it up and to come home, but he resents the Humans and won't rest ‘till they are off this planet, maybe not even then.”
I closed my eyes for a moment and looked away. This was the worst outcome. Not only did Dad not like the Humans, it sounded like he outright hated them. I’m glad I prayed because I had a feeling that a shouting match was on the horizon.
“Is something wrong?”
I sighed. “Well, we might have… conflicting opinions on the Humans. I’m worried that we might fight.”
Mom sucked in a breath as if she was preparing a response, but it died in her throat before she could speak. She took a moment to recollect her thoughts, confusion growing in her eyes, before shaking her head.
“It’ll be fine. Your father loves you, no matter who you’ve become. You will always be his son, our son. There is nothing that can change that. I don’t know the experiences you've had, maybe I don’t want to know, but I know that you’re an adult now and can choose your own path, even if I don’t agree with it wholly.”
I grabbed Mom’s tentacle. “Thank you, Mom, you have no idea how much that means to me. I was so worried that you wouldn’t accept me, it was eating me alive. I just hope that Dad feels the same way. He is stubborn, you said it yourself.”
“I know he-”
The sound of the garage door opening cut Mom off and caused my nerves to flare up again. Through the walls, I could hear him shut the car door and stomp his way into the house. He had always been a heavy-stepper, but these seemed a little heavier than normal. Maybe he had just put on a little weight since I last saw him.
“Muola, I’m-”
Dad froze as he turned into the dining room, stopping suddenly as he saw me. He looked me up and down, putting the pieces together in his mind. He dropped a bag to the floor carelessly and took a half-step forward.
“Naeriu… you’re… you're alive!”
He rushed forward as fast as his old limbs could carry him, meeting me with a hug just as I stood from my seat. He rocked me back and forth, blubbering with joy and trying to bury his head in my chest.
“My son’s alive!”
He pulled himself back. “Where have you been? I thought…”
His breath hitched in his throat. “I thought you were dead.”
I held his tentacle with compassion. “I’m sorry, I was just so… I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be, all that matters now is that you are back with us, safe and sound.”
We stared at each other for a moment before Dad couldn’t sit still any longer, almost jumping toward the table. “You have to tell me all about it. Start to finish. You must have some interesting stories for us, right? I mean, you were gone for fifteen years, there has to have been something interesting going on, right? You could start with the story of that necklace, it looks pretty interesting. Is it something from Sillis?”
I glanced down to the cross on my neck as I pulled out a chair for him, sitting back down in mine with a huff after I did. “Not quite. It’s a later story. Why don’t we start from the beginning, like you said?”
Dad flung a tentacle in excitement. “Sure, yeah, from the beginning.”
I took in a deep breath. “After my last call with you, the Battle of Earth started. There wasn’t much I could do with my training, so all I could do was watch and wait. I was scared, and I only got more scared when boarding alarms went off. After they captured the ship, we had to evacuate. With no other option, I had to get in a life pod with the Humans.”
Both Mom and Dad gasped. “That must have been horrible, sweetie, how did you get out?”
Dad shook his head. “That must have been a terrible experience. I couldn’t imagine being trapped in such a cramped space with those monsters. Muola is right, how did you get out?”
I brushed past the casual Human-hate and continued with my story. “I didn’t. We landed in the northern part of the planet and it was late fall. All you need to know is that it was very, very cold. We had to travel with the Humans to avoid freezing to death, clinging to the belief that maybe we would be handed off to an authority later on and not be eaten. In the end, that was the best choice I had ever made. We made it to a cabin, but not after losing two others, a Harchen named Tekt and a Krakotl named Kulilim. It was just me and Kotern.”
Mom gasped. “How is Kotern? You two seemed like such good friends.”
I didn’t respond immediately, letting Dad’s mind run wild. “Did… T-they ate him, didn’t they?”
I shook my head. “No, in fact, they never even hit us. For the next few days, all we did was talk with each other. Just Me, Kotern, the Humans, and a Venlil named Leenek that we had picked up along the way. We just sat and talked.”
I could see the confusion building on Dad’s face. “Were they threatening you?”
I shook my head again. “Only one, Billy, the leader. He was the only one to make any threats, but he never acted on it. He was just angry. Some never even spoke to me, a few had very deep conversations, but only one ever made threats. One, named Brandon, talked to me about God for a while, after I told him that he had probably lost his entire family.”
Dad tilted his head in confusion, but didn’t make any comments, letting me continue with my story. “One day, Kotern goes out to gather some wood. The Humans had rope so we tied it on to him, but he didn’t come back. They sent a soldier named Valya out to find him, and comforted me the entire time he was gone. Around an hour passes and Valya returns, but Kotern isn’t with him.”
Mom leaned forward, engrossed in the story. “So what happened?”
I sighed. “I hid away in a room for a while, depressed that I had lost my friend, when I heard a bunch of arguing. I come out to see what’s happening, and Kotern is there, standing in the middle of the room, waving a pistol around and screaming for them to give me back to him. There were a bunch of people with him, led by a captain named Suklal. They wanted the cabin for shelter, but it ended up in a gunfight. Kotern died first.”
Dad sunk his head in sadness. “He was such a nice boy, you two seemed to get along so well. It’s a shame the Humans did that to him.”
“It wasn’t the Humans. Suklal shot him in the head after Kotern wouldn’t fall back. The Humans only started shooting after Suklal shot first.”
I let out a deep sigh, remembering how everything played out right in front of me. Even now his death brings tears to my eyes, he was such a nice man, he had just been misguided by the horrible teachings of the Federation. Teachings that I knew my Mom and Dad still clung to.
Wanting something to take my mind off of his death, I looked over to Mom. “I think I want some kotla now.”
Mom let out a breath. “Of course sweetie, I was wondering when you would ask.”
Mom got up to get some dishes, but Dad kept staring at me with a growing look of concern and confusion. “Hey son, what’s your opinion on the Humans.”
The bowls in Mom’s hands clattered slightly as everyone froze. I was hoping that I would be able to ease Dad into my opinion, but it seemed he wanted to take the more direct approach. “Well, I’m going to be honest, I like them. In fact, I love them. I love them the same way that I love everyone else. I wouldn’t be here without them, I wouldn’t be the man I am here today without them. It was a Human who pulled me out of the gutter and gave me direction in life.”
Dad sunk his head slightly. “They got to my son…”
I raised a tentacle. “Now, Dad, they didn’t get me. I came to this decision on my own. I looked at all the facts and saw that they were just as sapient as everyone else. They feel empathy, sadness, and regret just like all of us, and not just watered-down versions.”
He closed his eyes and raised his head. “Son, it’s going to be fine, we'll get you some help a-and cure this brainwashing.”
“I’m not brainwashed, Dad, that doesn’t exist. I’m-”
I sighed. “I’m not being controlled by anyone, I’m still the same Naeriu, just older and with more experienced. I’ve been gone for fifteen years, I’m going to change a little, but I’m still me. I just want to come back and reconnect.”
Dad stuttered in his own breath. “But the Humans tried to kill you.”
“Only after we attacked them first. And I forgave them long ago. A-”
I cut myself off before I told Dad that I was a Christian, that might just send him over the edge. I’d have to save that for later, when he’s calmed down a little.
“Can we eat something before we get too into this, please?”
Mom set the bowls down, eagerly accepting the distraction. “Of course, the kotla should be finished setting now anyway.”
Mom reached over and grabbed a wooden ladle, scooping up hearty spoonfuls into the bowls before setting them in front of Dad and me. I could feel the warm steam hit my face, carrying the savory taste of the various vegetables with them. Among the healthy chunks, I could spot the purplish color of dlut floating, slightly lighter now that it had been boiled.
“It looks amazing Mom, I can’t wait to try it.”
But just as I raised my tentacle, I froze. I glanced at my father, who was watching me with concern, confusion, and a little bit of fear. “What’s wrong son?”
I had never eaten a meal without praying beforehand. Sure, I might have sped up a prayer if I was excruciatingly hungry or late for something, but I always found a way to include it. Dad would freak out if he found out about my faith, it would start a full-blown fight.
Should I skip this one time to avoid making a scene?
I blinked and shook my head, feeling disappointed in myself. No, I had never missed a prayer before now, and I wasn’t about to start. I am not ashamed of who I am, I am a Christian and I am proud of it. If that means that my father is going to fight with me, then so be it. I don’t care if he doesn’t accept me, I don’t need him to. I am a grown man, and even if the words he says hurt, I know that I am being true to myself and God.
I am not skipping my prayer.
Slowly, I raised my tentacle and tapped my forehead, before lowering it to my chest, then my left shoulder followed by my right. “Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
I repeated the sign of the cross and closed my prayer, keeping my eyes closed for a moment before grabbing the spoon and taking a bite. “It tastes amazing, Mom.”
She was too confused to speak, but Dad wasn’t. “What was that?”
“A prayer.”
“To who?”
“Christ.”
Dad shared a glance with Mom. “I don’t recognize any god named Christ.”
“That is because He is from Christianity, a Human religion.”
Everyone went silent for a moment, the words I said still ringing in their ears. Mom’s confusion only deepened, while Dad’s turned to anger. “What?! You-You worship a Human god?”
“Yes, I worship God. I am a Christian, a believer in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.”
Dad shook his head and laughed. “You’re not kidding… You really mean it. H-how?”
“I was at the lowest point in my entire life, Kotern had just died, I was alone on an alien planet, I was hungry, thirsty, tired, homeless, and broke. A Human named Ben brought me to a church, the St. Louis Cosmic Christian Church, and that’s where I found God. I opened myself up to Him, and I’ve never felt more safe in my entire life.”
Mom remained stunned, falling back into a seat while Dad stood up. “I-I don’t… I can’t believe this. I cannot accept this. You’re not my son. Naeriu would never… H-he’d never…”
Mom leaned forward. “Solue, calm down. Take a deep breath and-”
“I can’t calm down! Not after that reveal. My son worships Humans. My son…”
“No, Dad, I don’t worship Humans, I worship God.”
“A Human god! Who is a Human! I don’t know if this is better or worse than you coming out as a Linked Chains member, at least they don’t think predators are gods! What does your god call for, hmm? Killings? Blood sacrifices?”
“Dad, hold on, slow down and give me a chance.”
“No. I want you out of my house, now.”
Mom gasped. “Solue! That is our son.”
Dad didn’t even glance at Mom, ignoring the building tears in his eyes. “No, he’s not. He’s some freak trying to impersonate our son. I hate to tell you Muola, but our son died in that war, and he’s never coming back.”
His words sank into my heart, causing me to wince away and take a deep breath. With my eyes closed, barely holding back the tears, I set my spoon down and stood slowly from the table. “If that’s what you think, then I won’t bother you any longer. Mom, it was wonderful to have your food one last time. Dad, I’m sorry that you can’t accept the facts. I’m glad I could at least give you some closure, goodbye.”
I turned to gather what little luggage I had as Mom frantically jumped up from her seat. “Naeriu, wait! Just give us some time to talk, Solue and I are just confused, is all. Please, wait here, for me.”
I paused at the door and sighed. “Anything for you, Mom. I’ll be by the tree in the back.”
As soon as I closed the door behind me, I started to sob. Dad’s words had hurt me more than I imagined they would, twisting my insides around like he knew exactly what to say to hurt me the worst. I stumbled my way around the house, wiping tears away with each step. I could hear Mom and Dad arguing loudly through the wall, both of them screaming with each other over what to think about the situation, though the words were muffled enough that I couldn’t understand them. By the time I reached the tree, there was no hope of me catching a single word.
I wiped away a few final tears and looked up into the tree. The first thing I noticed was that the branch I had fallen from long ago had finally healed, however, it was fixed in a completely new direction. I can vividly remember when I fell from that branch and broke my leg. I had never seen my parents so worried in their entire lives. Dad must have broken every traffic law on the planet to get me as quickly as he could to a hospital. Mom told me that he couldn’t sit still while they were x-raying me, every second that passed felt like an eternity for him.
He cares for me, a lot, and that makes it difficult for him to accept that I’ve gone on my own path now. Of course, I’d be ecstatic to have him and Mom join me, but something told me that they wouldn’t be diverting from their generational ways. They were both rooted in the past, and the tradition that came with it, and that shaped their worldview to a rigid stance where everything stays the same. At least Mom was a little more accepting, though I knew she felt about the same as Dad did, she just didn’t vocalize it.
With a sigh, I slid against the tree, looking out over the fields as the sun set in the distance. It seemed as if my worst fears were coming true, they wouldn’t accept me for who I was. I had changed too much from the last time they had seen me, I might as well have been a new person to them.
After a long moment, Mom finally exited the house through the back door, closely followed by Dad. I stood with a huff as they approached, preparing myself for whatever they would say.
Mom spoke first. “Sweetie, uhm, we are sorry for the fight. It’s just, well, we have a hard time accepting what you say to be true.”
Mom paused for a moment and Dad picked up where she left off. “The last time we saw you, you were still just a boy, barely an adult, and you held… beliefs that aligned with ours.”
Mom glanced between Dad and me. “And now seeing you here in front of us, the age we were when we last saw you, with beliefs that completely go against everything we believed, that our religion taught…”
Dad sighed. “It’s a little much, son, and I’m… I’m sorry I… lashed out like that.”
I looked between them and stepped forward. “Mom, Dad, I don’t expect you to understand me, especially not on the first day of me being back, but just know that you accepting me means more than you will ever know. Thank you, and I love you, both of you.”
I embraced them both in a big group hug, rocking back and forth. Dad only hugged me for a brief moment before pulling away, but Mom clung to me for a long time. After she finally pulled away, she sniffled once more and wiped away a few final tears.
She laughed slightly and shook her head. “I just hope you can forgive us.”
I couldn’t help but melt at Mom’s concern. “Mom, Dad, you never even needed to ask. I forgave you as soon as the words were said. I love you both with all my heart, it will take more than harsh words to prevent me from forgiving you.”
I smiled. “Though, I wish I could have gotten some more kotla before it went cold.”
Dud huffed and turned around. “It should still be warm in the pot, but you better hurry.”
Mom and I watched him disappear into the house, not looking back to see if we were following him at all. Mom sighed before speaking. “He’ll come around, you know he will. He’s just principled. He has his way that he thinks is right and there is not a lot you can do to change that.”
I nodded. “I know that, but I’m sure he’ll be more accepting once he gives me a chance to explain what I believe in. And tell the rest of my story.”
“That will be nice to hear. I’d love to understand what you have been doing all of this time that prevented you from coming home.”
I opened my mouth to respond, only to realize something. “Oh! Now that I think about it, where is Bolop?”
Mom sighed. “He moved away, wanted to be free from Totkala’s chains, he said. Just like you, only he didn’t join the military, thankfully. Just moved away. Haven’t had much contact with him, as far as I know he’s on Fahl, but you know him. He can’t sit still to save his life, he might be all the way in Sivkit territory for all we know.”
“But you still have his info?”
“Yes, but with the time it takes for a message to reach him and the distance he has to travel to get to us…”
“I understand, but I’d still like to have it. I’d like to set up a meeting time sometime later.”
Mom stepped up the stairs to the back door, but paused when I didn’t follow her in. “Something wrong sweetie? The kotla is only going to get colder.”
“Nothing’s wrong, Mom, I just want a second to be alone. I’ll be right in.”
She nodded understandingly and slipped inside, leaving me alone to reflect. I turned around to face the sunset, taking a deep breath as it passed below the horizon slowly. My life had been completely turned around since I left home all those years ago. I became a soldier, attacked a planet, survived the freezing Alaska wilderness, lost my closest friend, and fell into a deep depression, even losing contact with my family. But it was anything but bad, from there I built my life back from nothing, found my faith in God, traveled all across the galaxy doing missionary work, met and talked with an Arxur, only to return home to my family finally. I’ve had some extreme ups and heart-wrenching downs, never knowing just what would happen next, but even now I don’t have any regrets.
Even when I’m being ridiculed for my faith or spat on for my species, I don’t regret a thing. I accept the challenges, uncertainty, and hate, even welcome it, because I know that I am living my best life.
I let out a content breath, smiled a warm smile, and turned to open the door, welcoming whatever would come next.
2024.05.13 15:01 AutoModerator Weekly Questions Thread
Hey folks! Welcome to the weekly question thread. Going forward for a short while, we will be having a weekly question thread that will be pinned. You can ask questions about specific bags that don’t require an entire review to see if anyone has the answer!
We are doing this so that we can start building up an FAQ so that your questions can be more easily answered. Questions are NOT restricted to this post, especially if those questions involve discussions! If you have posted in a previous Weekly Question Thread but your question was not answered, feel free to repost it again.
Here are some example questions:
Thank you for your continued patience as we continue to build up our community! 💖
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We are doing this so that we can start building up an FAQ so that your questions can be more easily answered. Questions are NOT restricted to this post, especially if those questions involve discussions! If you have posted in a previous Weekly Question Thread but your question was not answered, feel free to repost it again.
Here are some example questions:
- Can an iPhone 13 Pro fit in the Loewe Mini Puzzle?
- What bag can I use in the rain under $X?
- Does this bag match this outfit? (Can be asked in this thread or as a discussion post).
- Has anyone had any experience shopping at
in ?
- What bag are you wearing today? (This would be better as a discussion post).
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- Review request for Mlouye! (There’s a chance someone who’s purchased won’t see it as a comment and may be better off as a post for now).
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2024.05.13 12:07 Acceptable_Egg5560 Of Giants and Journalists [50]
Thank you u/SpacePaladin15 for this universe!
And many thanks to u/TheManwithaNoPlan for being a full co-writer on this project!
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Archived Closed Circuit Security Video - Establishment: Exterminator’s Office - Dawn Creek Division - Date Recorded (ST): OCT 31, 2136 - Timeframe (ST): 11:37 - 11:45
Dozens of people sit in the meeting room, staring intently at a screen. It freezes when Nikonus reaches out a tentacle to slap down Cilany’s broadcasting camera. The feed cuts and leaves the meeting room staring at nothing. There is no noise for a moment as everybody looks at everyone else. The body languages of all in the room are tense in response to the information the broadcast had just provided them. This peace does not last long.
In the corner of the room, one black-suited Exterminator stands and attempts to raise their flamer. The perpetrator appears to be Venlil. Many other members of the room, particularly those of species mentioned in the broadcast, shrink away. Another Venlil rises from their seat and attempts to push the weapon’s nozzle down. They attempt to reason with the instigator. “Mafchi! What are you doing?? Put that thing away now!”
“Are you kidding?” The armed Venlil, Mafchi, responds. “We finally know why we’ve set up all those camps! It’s to corral all the predators into one place and purge them from the world! No wonder so many have tried to cozy up to the humans, predatory taint has been inundating us from between our eyes this whole time! Even here, in this very room!” Mafchi makes a sweeping gesture across the room. Exterminators who belong to omnivorous species shrink, except for one.
“What are you talking about, Mafchi??” A Tilfish officer lifts themselves from their thorax and points at Mafchi. “This is as much news to us as it is to you! Do you think that I, that any of us, knew about this?? I didn’t, that’s for damn sure! Now put down the brahking flamer and let us get scanned like all the others we’ve collected!” The screen comes back to life with the face of a Zurulian, but the focus is no longer on it.
“What, so you all can falsify yet more brain scans? That’s probably how you all have managed to keep yourselves hidden! Of course, how could I have not seen it before?? You! You’re all in cahoots with the Humans and Arxur! Making us tainted enough to where we willing turn ourselves over to be eaten! The humans they- they were just a test! You can’t hide your intentions anymore, vile predator scum!!” Mafchi attempts to raise their flamer again, but is once more stopped by the Venlil by their side.
The pair scuffle as they wrestle over the weapon. The rest of the crowd starts to murmur and move. Some Venlil and other herbivorous species distance themselves from their omnivorous companions. Some begin to apply their masks. A gap starts to form.
“Mafchi, that’s enough! You’re talking completely crazy! Drop the flamer and come with u-” The other Venlil is cut off by an elbow impacting their lower jaw. Their teeth audibly clack together before they fall to the ground. The situation rapidly worsens as many Exterminators grab their arms, pointing their flamers at one another. Omnivorous species point at herbivorous species, but several of the herbivores also join the side with Tilfish and Gojid. The gap grows wider as even more silver and black suited exterminators zip their masks over their heads.
“STOP!” A Kolshian stands from their seat and rushes into the middle of the fighting. They still have their mask hanging behind their head, their face fully visible. They hold their tentacles out to their sides in an attempt to keep hostilities from rising further. “Please, this doesn’t have to end in bloodshed! This is upsetting news, I know that for certain, but this is not the way to resolve it! We can’t just panic into madness and just start killing people! Mafchi, Iltivik, lower your weapons now!” Their tone is commanding, and for a brief moment, both parties obey. However, that is short lived.
“... Why are you saying this, Nhilasi?” Mafchi asks, leveling their weapon at the Kolshian, Nhilasi. “As a matter of fact, why don’t you tell us just how long you knew about all this?”
Nhilasi appears taken aback and her body language becomes far more animated as the situation devolves. “Me?? How could I have known? I just learned about this now!!”
The body language of the people on Mafchi’s side shifts. Tails lash in skepticism and hostility. “You think we’ll buy that for a second? It’s been through you that the predatorshit High Magister has been giving us orders! They had to have known about this before us, and that means you. And- and you’re a Kolshian! Nikonus said what the Kolshians did, it was your species that’s responsible for doing all- all this and then covering it up! It’s your fault that we’re so immolated by taint, you and your whole spehking species!!”
Nhilasi attempts to reciprocate, but is cut off by Mafchi yelling to all the others in the room. “Exterminators! This is clear and distinct evidence of predator taint on a scale that we could not have imagined before! If you have any sense of duty left, you’ll help me subdue these predatory infiltrators and purge this district- nay, this planet of taint! Once! AND FOR ALL!” A solid majority of the herbivores raise their paws in solidarity. The omnivores and sympathetic herbivores are outnumbered at 2 to 1, which proves disastrous once Mafchi speaks again. “SEIZE THEM!!”
The meeting room descends into chaos at a moment’s notice, as every hostile officer goes after and attempts to subdue an omnivore or sympathetic herbivore. The camera’s microphone peaks multiple times during the chaos, in which the hostile attackers appear to be winning. Yet suddenly a group of three Venlil and two Gojid burst from the fray and stumble out of the room, the running out of sight. Over the sounds of distress and anger coming from the room, Mafchi’s voice can be heard as they speak into a comlink.
“Attention all True Exterminators, capture the predatory impostors in your midst and meet the rest of us out front. We will burn this building to the ground to wipe the taint from its very foundation! Our traitorous High Magister seeks to have us merely scan and release the predatory influence? We shall not let him! We will burn every last predator and sympathizer from the face of this district! From the face of this very planet!! We shall do what we have so long been incapable of now that we are freed from our false comrades! For the glory of the Federation! FOR THE GOOD OF THE HERD!!”
They pant as they deactivate their comlink and look at the terrified mass of omnivores and herbivores crowded against the corner of the room. Among them are the Venlil who attempted to stop Mafchi, Iltivik the Tilfish officer, and Nhilasi. The latter struggles against her restraints, her face contorted with anger at Mafchi. “You can’t do this! You’ll be facilitating a slaughter the likes of which can only be compared to the Arxur! Please, Mafchi, don’t do this. Let us all free and talk!”
Mafchi looks at Nhilasi and stops moving. Other screams and shouts can be heard faintly through the walls. They kneel down next to the group of restrained officers, their tail wagging gleefully. “Your predatory deception won’t work on us anymore. All of you will meet the ends your kinds should have seen hundreds of years ago. We will fix the Federation’s mistakes and finally clear the galaxy of predators once and for all! Starting. Right. Here.” There is venom in their voice as they bring their monologue to a close. They motion for the “True Exterminators” to follow them out the door, locking it behind them as they leave.
There is not much movement in the following minutes. The primary actions caught on tape are crying and pleading to be let go. Some hang their heads and others scream out in desperation. After a few minutes pass, Nhilasi grunts and manages to wiggle her tentacles out of their restraints. Her success is met with more pleas and sounds for her to help them. Once she undoes her leg restraints, she starts trying to free everyone else as well. “I know, I know! Damn it, I should’ve known that those new transfers would be nothing but trouble. If I meet that spehkbrain bird Estela again, I’m gonna-” She takes in a deep breath as she unlocks the restraints on a frightened Gojid officer. “Nope, I’m going to firmly scold her, that’s what I’ll do. Yep.”
She works on freeing others restraints, who in turn aid in her effort. Before long, all the officers are freed and nervously conversing amongst themselves. Among the murmurs are mentions of “maybe we are dangerous” and “what if we suddenly want meat?” These conversations are interrupted by Nhilasi, who stands on one of the desks. “Everyone, please listen to me!”
The voices die down and attention falls on her. She takes another breath before continuing. “I-I know that things seem bleak. Believe me, I had no idea this was what we were preparing for, but I don’t think that your species' past deserves for you to get burned! I was born and raised on Venlil Prime, and I have known many people from the races mentioned by Nikonus! In fact, I know a fair few here in this very room! You have dedicated your lives to protecting the weak of the herd, and nothing in your genetic past can change that commitment! I have no intention of you dying here today! We can take them! Come on!”
Nhilasi hops off the desk and rushes to the door, using a keycard to unlock it and hold it open for the rest of the room. They start to filter out at varying paces, but do eventually vacate the room. The room is empty for 92 seconds before screaming can be heard from somewhere else in the building. Immediately following this, a bright flash engulfs the camera lens and the feed goes dead. The error code is consistent with that of electrical interruption.
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{Oh, oh, we need to check on Sol-Vah next! Things are bound to happen with her!}
{Isn’t that the reason we should look?}
<…Damn you for weaponizing my curiosity.>
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{-Welcome To: Terra Technologies Transcription Hub!-}
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{-List Retrieved - Select Desired Subject: (Sol-Vah)-}
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Memory Transcription Subject: Sol-Vah, Gojid Citizen. Date [Standardized Human Time] October 31st, 2136
As I laid on the bed, I started to get concerned. It shouldn’t have taken Orhew this long to get the Strayu out of the forge given that he wouldn’t need to use protection to retrieve it. I tried to push my worries to the back of my mind, but I was ultimately unsuccessful in my endeavors. Furthermore, I could hear voices coming from the central room, likely from the holovision. Is he watching something?
Unable to contain my curiosity, I managed to hop down from the bed and make my way towards the door. My steps were unsteady due to the pleasure Orhew had bestowed upon me during our mating, but I was able to push through. As I placed my paw on the door, I heard something drop to the ground, the definitive sounds of other people talking echoing through Orhew’s abode. I had no idea what was going on, so with a moment’s hesitation, I slid open the door.
The previously muffled voices roared to life as I heard what sounded like a male Gojid speak through the screen. “No. You’re lying,” the Gojid said, the holoscreen showing him on his hands and knees as he panted heavily. He looked to be in immense pain, something which I couldn’t quite understand as he was unscathed. Orhew was standing still, both eyes affixed to the screen with a Strayu knife in his left hand and the loaf we had made fallen on the ground.
…What’s going on?
I decided to watch silently as g gthe scene continued. “I am not. See, Cilany? It’s cruel.” Another voice piped up from the screen and the shot rapidly changed to a familiar face. Is that… Chief Nikonus? How are we getting a feed from Federation space? The camera shook slightly as the recorder’s voice, Cilany I presumed, came from the screen in turn. “I don’t know what to say. This is a lot at once.”
As the camera panned back to find the Gojid completely curled up on the ground sobbing, I grew more and more concerned. What was this? Why was Orhew watching it? What’s a lot to take in at once?? My focus darted between the screen and Orhew, who was starting to shake. I could hear his heavy breathing even from across the room, and I wanted to go and comfort him from whatever this w-
“Now, you see why it’s important to protect these secrets. People like the Gojids can live in peace from their past. We’ve made it possible for them to walk among us, without threatening stability. We saved them.”
…What?
“What you did is wrong. You’ve been conducting genetic engineering, on innocent species, at…I don’t even know how large a scale. Your actions are going to kill us all, between the Arxur and the humans!”
Genetic engineering? Saved us? What…what does that…
“You haven’t learned a thing here. If you publish any of this, I’ll shoot it down as a wild fabrication. There’s no proof. Nobody would believe you.” Nikonus sneered at Cilany and whoever the Gojid was, the camera quickly panning down to him before Cliany chuckled darkly. “They don’t have to believe me. You just told everyone yourself.”
Nikonus’s eyes bulged from his head and he started to shout something, but my attention was drawn away once I realized that Orhew was no longer facing the screen. He was facing me, directly. Both of his eyes stared at me, sending chills down my spines in a way not even Humans could muster. What’s going on?? What was Nikonus talking about?!
“Orhew, wh-” I started to ask, but the [second] I took a step towards him, he leveled the knife he was holding directly at me. What- why- he- this- “Orhew, w-what’s going on? Why was Nikonus on the HV?? W-Why are you holding a knife at me?!” I can barely breathe, oh Protector what’s happening??
He was silent, scanning me up and down as his body shook uncharacteristically. I had never seen him like this before, and it was scaring me. After an agonizingly long and silent moment, he finally spoke. “is it true?”
“W-What?” I stammered, barely able to hear his voice over my racing heart. I heard strange noises coming from outside, but my focus was entirely on him. “Is what true? Orhew, what was that on the screen? Please, tell me!”
His ears wavered slightly at my admission of fear, but that moment of hesitation was followed by a fiery anger the likes of which I’ve never seen from him before burning in his eyes. He bared his teeth at me and violently pointed at the screen with his free hand, just as a Zurulian appeared in what looked like the district’s PSA format. “you can’t deceive me anymore.”
I looked back at thes screen as the woman began talking, but I couldn’t pay attention to what she was saying, not through my confusion and terror at the situation. Not even a few [minutes] ago, he and I were the happiest we’ve ever been, and now he thinks I’m deceiving him? “Orhew please, I don’t know what you mean! Tell m-”
“DON’T YOU DARE, PREDATOR!!”
…Predator?
Orhew nearly collapsed into a coughing fit after he attempted his scream at me. His voice, normally soft and raspy, was a gravelly mess raw with rage and sadness as he had tried to use them without his electrolarynx. But why would he call me a predator? What did he…
“Now, you see why it’s important to protect these secrets.”
“You’ve been conducting genetic engineering, on innocent species, at…I don’t even know how large a scale!”
“We saved them.”
…No. Nonononononononononono pleasepleaseplease Please No. Protector PLEASE NO!! NO!!! NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN-
{-ERR: Altered State Of Mind - Extreme Emotion-}
{-Attempting Recovery…Recovery Success-}
{-Adjusting Playback Parameters…Success-}
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I had to steady myself against the table to keep from falling over from shock, my arm barely strong enough to keep me upright. My heart pounded in my ears, drowning out the noises from the world around me as I struggled to remain conscious. No, no I couldn’t- That’s not- I’m not a-a…
Orhew was crying. The knife trembled in his paw as he stared at me, muttering to himself under his breath. I was only barely able to make out “pure” and “tainted” as he stared at me, full tears nearly pouring from his eyes. My own face felt wet as I realized what this had to mean.
Gojids are Predators.
“why?” Orhew asked me, his breathing almost as ragged as mine. I tried to tell him that I didn’t know, that I would never hurt anyone, but how could I know that was true? Was that what my impulses were? Predatory instincts reawakened?? …No sound came out of my mouth.
I heard Orhew gasp as he choked on his own mucus, followed by another horrible, wheezing attempt at a yell. “WHY?!” His legs gave out from under him and he collapsed to his knees, sobbing to himself next to the loaf of Strayu we had made. I almost reached out to help him, but I withdrew myself at the last second. He wasn’t safe around me, nobody was. How many things might I have tainted without even realizing?? I…I tainted him, didn’t I?
“O-Orh-hew, I-I-” I barely managed to choke out through my own tears and mucus, taking a step back for fear that my presence was only making things worse. My heart yearned to do something, anything, to ease the pain Orhew had to be feeling, but I refused it. Is that just another predatory trick I’m playing on myself? Who am I? What am I?!
“i-i trusted you,” Orhew coughed out, still reeling from raising his voice so much. Every syllable that came from his mouth stabbed me with another pang of sorrow. “how c-could you…you were pure…b-but I…” He shakily rose to his paws and started to stagger towards me, knife still in paw. I didn’t want him to be anywhere close to a monster like me, so I slid away on the ground, my spines fully flexed to the point of pain.
“i-i need…n-need to purge the taint,” he said, drawing closer towards me with the cooking instrument. How, how could this have happened?? Why did I have to be a…a… It only then occurred to me what he meant by that as his features bubbled with a mixture of agonizing emotions.
“i need to purge you.”
Even through the chemical cocktail that was my brain, my flight instincts kicked into overdrive. “N-No, Orh-hew, please! Please! I-I didn’t k-know about a-any of this!! I-I don’t wa-ant to hurt you!! Please, d-don’t ki-kill me!!” I pleaded for my life as the tears streamed from my eyes, my chest feeling so tight I thought it was about to implode. My vision was bleary with tears as I begged for my life to the man I love, unsure if it was even the right thing to do.
As Mute towered over me, I was unable to look away as he raised the knife above his head, his eyes alone conveying a tidal wave of pain and suffering hidden beneath his short wool. I closed my eyes and waited for him to do what needed to be done…only to be met by the sound of steel clattering against linoleum.
The strike never came.
After a moment, I opened my eyes to see him shaking and muttering to himself words that I could no longer hear from him. From the one I had unknowingly ensnared into whatever dastardly predatory deception I had created deep in my psyche. Even though my body was screaming at me to run, I couldn’t. My mind wouldn’t let me because I knew that I was a danger to everyone else, no matter how good I thought I had become. Because I’m nothing more than a filthy predator. Because death by his paws is what I deserve for everything I've done.
“...go.”
I couldn’t believe my ears. Mute looked at me with a mixture of anger, pain, and sorrow in his features as he pointed sternly at the door. I looked between it and him, my adrenaline-addled mind struggling to comprehend what he was doing. My look only seemed to worsen his inner turmoil, as he clutched his head and screamed at me one last time.
“GO!!!”
That was the loudest I’ve ever heard him speak, even while using his ‘voice.’ The very floor shook with the force of his words, shattering my heart into a billion pieces from the sheer torment in his voice. Mute quickly descended into a violent coughing fit, and suddenly all the inhibitions I had melted away. With a speed beyond my physical limits, I bolted out the door of his house, my reality, and our life together in the unknown streets of the city. I was vaguely aware of people screaming and bodies littering the roadways.
Without thinking, I started to stumble down the road as fast as my paws could take me. I was heading towards the Exterminator’s office, they-they could tell me this wasn’t true, right? That this was all some big misunderstanding, and that I could go back to my happy life, right? I heard a terrible scream from behind me, its baritone raspiness serving to pulverize what was left of my soul. If I even have one.
I just need to get to the office, they’ll be able to help. They’ll be able to save me, just like they did all those [years] ago. Yeah, Nikonus said they saved us! They can do it again! They have to. They have to. They have to. They HAVE TO! Please, oh Protector Please let this be a bad dream! I want this nightmare to end, I want him to wake me up!
I just want my Kavelun back.
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submitted by Acceptable_Egg5560 to NatureofPredators [link] [comments]
And many thanks to u/TheManwithaNoPlan for being a full co-writer on this project!
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(Welcome to the Orion Arm Grand University Archival Browser!)
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Archived Closed Circuit Security Video - Establishment: Exterminator’s Office - Dawn Creek Division - Date Recorded (ST): OCT 31, 2136 - Timeframe (ST): 11:37 - 11:45
Dozens of people sit in the meeting room, staring intently at a screen. It freezes when Nikonus reaches out a tentacle to slap down Cilany’s broadcasting camera. The feed cuts and leaves the meeting room staring at nothing. There is no noise for a moment as everybody looks at everyone else. The body languages of all in the room are tense in response to the information the broadcast had just provided them. This peace does not last long.
In the corner of the room, one black-suited Exterminator stands and attempts to raise their flamer. The perpetrator appears to be Venlil. Many other members of the room, particularly those of species mentioned in the broadcast, shrink away. Another Venlil rises from their seat and attempts to push the weapon’s nozzle down. They attempt to reason with the instigator. “Mafchi! What are you doing?? Put that thing away now!”
“Are you kidding?” The armed Venlil, Mafchi, responds. “We finally know why we’ve set up all those camps! It’s to corral all the predators into one place and purge them from the world! No wonder so many have tried to cozy up to the humans, predatory taint has been inundating us from between our eyes this whole time! Even here, in this very room!” Mafchi makes a sweeping gesture across the room. Exterminators who belong to omnivorous species shrink, except for one.
“What are you talking about, Mafchi??” A Tilfish officer lifts themselves from their thorax and points at Mafchi. “This is as much news to us as it is to you! Do you think that I, that any of us, knew about this?? I didn’t, that’s for damn sure! Now put down the brahking flamer and let us get scanned like all the others we’ve collected!” The screen comes back to life with the face of a Zurulian, but the focus is no longer on it.
“What, so you all can falsify yet more brain scans? That’s probably how you all have managed to keep yourselves hidden! Of course, how could I have not seen it before?? You! You’re all in cahoots with the Humans and Arxur! Making us tainted enough to where we willing turn ourselves over to be eaten! The humans they- they were just a test! You can’t hide your intentions anymore, vile predator scum!!” Mafchi attempts to raise their flamer again, but is once more stopped by the Venlil by their side.
The pair scuffle as they wrestle over the weapon. The rest of the crowd starts to murmur and move. Some Venlil and other herbivorous species distance themselves from their omnivorous companions. Some begin to apply their masks. A gap starts to form.
“Mafchi, that’s enough! You’re talking completely crazy! Drop the flamer and come with u-” The other Venlil is cut off by an elbow impacting their lower jaw. Their teeth audibly clack together before they fall to the ground. The situation rapidly worsens as many Exterminators grab their arms, pointing their flamers at one another. Omnivorous species point at herbivorous species, but several of the herbivores also join the side with Tilfish and Gojid. The gap grows wider as even more silver and black suited exterminators zip their masks over their heads.
“STOP!” A Kolshian stands from their seat and rushes into the middle of the fighting. They still have their mask hanging behind their head, their face fully visible. They hold their tentacles out to their sides in an attempt to keep hostilities from rising further. “Please, this doesn’t have to end in bloodshed! This is upsetting news, I know that for certain, but this is not the way to resolve it! We can’t just panic into madness and just start killing people! Mafchi, Iltivik, lower your weapons now!” Their tone is commanding, and for a brief moment, both parties obey. However, that is short lived.
“... Why are you saying this, Nhilasi?” Mafchi asks, leveling their weapon at the Kolshian, Nhilasi. “As a matter of fact, why don’t you tell us just how long you knew about all this?”
Nhilasi appears taken aback and her body language becomes far more animated as the situation devolves. “Me?? How could I have known? I just learned about this now!!”
The body language of the people on Mafchi’s side shifts. Tails lash in skepticism and hostility. “You think we’ll buy that for a second? It’s been through you that the predatorshit High Magister has been giving us orders! They had to have known about this before us, and that means you. And- and you’re a Kolshian! Nikonus said what the Kolshians did, it was your species that’s responsible for doing all- all this and then covering it up! It’s your fault that we’re so immolated by taint, you and your whole spehking species!!”
Nhilasi attempts to reciprocate, but is cut off by Mafchi yelling to all the others in the room. “Exterminators! This is clear and distinct evidence of predator taint on a scale that we could not have imagined before! If you have any sense of duty left, you’ll help me subdue these predatory infiltrators and purge this district- nay, this planet of taint! Once! AND FOR ALL!” A solid majority of the herbivores raise their paws in solidarity. The omnivores and sympathetic herbivores are outnumbered at 2 to 1, which proves disastrous once Mafchi speaks again. “SEIZE THEM!!”
The meeting room descends into chaos at a moment’s notice, as every hostile officer goes after and attempts to subdue an omnivore or sympathetic herbivore. The camera’s microphone peaks multiple times during the chaos, in which the hostile attackers appear to be winning. Yet suddenly a group of three Venlil and two Gojid burst from the fray and stumble out of the room, the running out of sight. Over the sounds of distress and anger coming from the room, Mafchi’s voice can be heard as they speak into a comlink.
“Attention all True Exterminators, capture the predatory impostors in your midst and meet the rest of us out front. We will burn this building to the ground to wipe the taint from its very foundation! Our traitorous High Magister seeks to have us merely scan and release the predatory influence? We shall not let him! We will burn every last predator and sympathizer from the face of this district! From the face of this very planet!! We shall do what we have so long been incapable of now that we are freed from our false comrades! For the glory of the Federation! FOR THE GOOD OF THE HERD!!”
They pant as they deactivate their comlink and look at the terrified mass of omnivores and herbivores crowded against the corner of the room. Among them are the Venlil who attempted to stop Mafchi, Iltivik the Tilfish officer, and Nhilasi. The latter struggles against her restraints, her face contorted with anger at Mafchi. “You can’t do this! You’ll be facilitating a slaughter the likes of which can only be compared to the Arxur! Please, Mafchi, don’t do this. Let us all free and talk!”
Mafchi looks at Nhilasi and stops moving. Other screams and shouts can be heard faintly through the walls. They kneel down next to the group of restrained officers, their tail wagging gleefully. “Your predatory deception won’t work on us anymore. All of you will meet the ends your kinds should have seen hundreds of years ago. We will fix the Federation’s mistakes and finally clear the galaxy of predators once and for all! Starting. Right. Here.” There is venom in their voice as they bring their monologue to a close. They motion for the “True Exterminators” to follow them out the door, locking it behind them as they leave.
There is not much movement in the following minutes. The primary actions caught on tape are crying and pleading to be let go. Some hang their heads and others scream out in desperation. After a few minutes pass, Nhilasi grunts and manages to wiggle her tentacles out of their restraints. Her success is met with more pleas and sounds for her to help them. Once she undoes her leg restraints, she starts trying to free everyone else as well. “I know, I know! Damn it, I should’ve known that those new transfers would be nothing but trouble. If I meet that spehkbrain bird Estela again, I’m gonna-” She takes in a deep breath as she unlocks the restraints on a frightened Gojid officer. “Nope, I’m going to firmly scold her, that’s what I’ll do. Yep.”
She works on freeing others restraints, who in turn aid in her effort. Before long, all the officers are freed and nervously conversing amongst themselves. Among the murmurs are mentions of “maybe we are dangerous” and “what if we suddenly want meat?” These conversations are interrupted by Nhilasi, who stands on one of the desks. “Everyone, please listen to me!”
The voices die down and attention falls on her. She takes another breath before continuing. “I-I know that things seem bleak. Believe me, I had no idea this was what we were preparing for, but I don’t think that your species' past deserves for you to get burned! I was born and raised on Venlil Prime, and I have known many people from the races mentioned by Nikonus! In fact, I know a fair few here in this very room! You have dedicated your lives to protecting the weak of the herd, and nothing in your genetic past can change that commitment! I have no intention of you dying here today! We can take them! Come on!”
Nhilasi hops off the desk and rushes to the door, using a keycard to unlock it and hold it open for the rest of the room. They start to filter out at varying paces, but do eventually vacate the room. The room is empty for 92 seconds before screaming can be heard from somewhere else in the building. Immediately following this, a bright flash engulfs the camera lens and the feed goes dead. The error code is consistent with that of electrical interruption.
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{Oh, oh, we need to check on Sol-Vah next! Things are bound to happen with her!}
{Isn’t that the reason we should look?}
<…Damn you for weaponizing my curiosity.>
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Memory Transcription Subject: Sol-Vah, Gojid Citizen. Date [Standardized Human Time] October 31st, 2136
As I laid on the bed, I started to get concerned. It shouldn’t have taken Orhew this long to get the Strayu out of the forge given that he wouldn’t need to use protection to retrieve it. I tried to push my worries to the back of my mind, but I was ultimately unsuccessful in my endeavors. Furthermore, I could hear voices coming from the central room, likely from the holovision. Is he watching something?
Unable to contain my curiosity, I managed to hop down from the bed and make my way towards the door. My steps were unsteady due to the pleasure Orhew had bestowed upon me during our mating, but I was able to push through. As I placed my paw on the door, I heard something drop to the ground, the definitive sounds of other people talking echoing through Orhew’s abode. I had no idea what was going on, so with a moment’s hesitation, I slid open the door.
The previously muffled voices roared to life as I heard what sounded like a male Gojid speak through the screen. “No. You’re lying,” the Gojid said, the holoscreen showing him on his hands and knees as he panted heavily. He looked to be in immense pain, something which I couldn’t quite understand as he was unscathed. Orhew was standing still, both eyes affixed to the screen with a Strayu knife in his left hand and the loaf we had made fallen on the ground.
…What’s going on?
I decided to watch silently as g gthe scene continued. “I am not. See, Cilany? It’s cruel.” Another voice piped up from the screen and the shot rapidly changed to a familiar face. Is that… Chief Nikonus? How are we getting a feed from Federation space? The camera shook slightly as the recorder’s voice, Cilany I presumed, came from the screen in turn. “I don’t know what to say. This is a lot at once.”
As the camera panned back to find the Gojid completely curled up on the ground sobbing, I grew more and more concerned. What was this? Why was Orhew watching it? What’s a lot to take in at once?? My focus darted between the screen and Orhew, who was starting to shake. I could hear his heavy breathing even from across the room, and I wanted to go and comfort him from whatever this w-
“Now, you see why it’s important to protect these secrets. People like the Gojids can live in peace from their past. We’ve made it possible for them to walk among us, without threatening stability. We saved them.”
…What?
“What you did is wrong. You’ve been conducting genetic engineering, on innocent species, at…I don’t even know how large a scale. Your actions are going to kill us all, between the Arxur and the humans!”
Genetic engineering? Saved us? What…what does that…
“You haven’t learned a thing here. If you publish any of this, I’ll shoot it down as a wild fabrication. There’s no proof. Nobody would believe you.” Nikonus sneered at Cilany and whoever the Gojid was, the camera quickly panning down to him before Cliany chuckled darkly. “They don’t have to believe me. You just told everyone yourself.”
Nikonus’s eyes bulged from his head and he started to shout something, but my attention was drawn away once I realized that Orhew was no longer facing the screen. He was facing me, directly. Both of his eyes stared at me, sending chills down my spines in a way not even Humans could muster. What’s going on?? What was Nikonus talking about?!
“Orhew, wh-” I started to ask, but the [second] I took a step towards him, he leveled the knife he was holding directly at me. What- why- he- this- “Orhew, w-what’s going on? Why was Nikonus on the HV?? W-Why are you holding a knife at me?!” I can barely breathe, oh Protector what’s happening??
He was silent, scanning me up and down as his body shook uncharacteristically. I had never seen him like this before, and it was scaring me. After an agonizingly long and silent moment, he finally spoke. “is it true?”
“W-What?” I stammered, barely able to hear his voice over my racing heart. I heard strange noises coming from outside, but my focus was entirely on him. “Is what true? Orhew, what was that on the screen? Please, tell me!”
His ears wavered slightly at my admission of fear, but that moment of hesitation was followed by a fiery anger the likes of which I’ve never seen from him before burning in his eyes. He bared his teeth at me and violently pointed at the screen with his free hand, just as a Zurulian appeared in what looked like the district’s PSA format. “you can’t deceive me anymore.”
I looked back at thes screen as the woman began talking, but I couldn’t pay attention to what she was saying, not through my confusion and terror at the situation. Not even a few [minutes] ago, he and I were the happiest we’ve ever been, and now he thinks I’m deceiving him? “Orhew please, I don’t know what you mean! Tell m-”
“DON’T YOU DARE, PREDATOR!!”
…Predator?
Orhew nearly collapsed into a coughing fit after he attempted his scream at me. His voice, normally soft and raspy, was a gravelly mess raw with rage and sadness as he had tried to use them without his electrolarynx. But why would he call me a predator? What did he…
“Now, you see why it’s important to protect these secrets.”
“You’ve been conducting genetic engineering, on innocent species, at…I don’t even know how large a scale!”
“We saved them.”
…No. Nonononononononononono pleasepleaseplease Please No. Protector PLEASE NO!! NO!!! NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN-
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I had to steady myself against the table to keep from falling over from shock, my arm barely strong enough to keep me upright. My heart pounded in my ears, drowning out the noises from the world around me as I struggled to remain conscious. No, no I couldn’t- That’s not- I’m not a-a…
Orhew was crying. The knife trembled in his paw as he stared at me, muttering to himself under his breath. I was only barely able to make out “pure” and “tainted” as he stared at me, full tears nearly pouring from his eyes. My own face felt wet as I realized what this had to mean.
Gojids are Predators.
“why?” Orhew asked me, his breathing almost as ragged as mine. I tried to tell him that I didn’t know, that I would never hurt anyone, but how could I know that was true? Was that what my impulses were? Predatory instincts reawakened?? …No sound came out of my mouth.
I heard Orhew gasp as he choked on his own mucus, followed by another horrible, wheezing attempt at a yell. “WHY?!” His legs gave out from under him and he collapsed to his knees, sobbing to himself next to the loaf of Strayu we had made. I almost reached out to help him, but I withdrew myself at the last second. He wasn’t safe around me, nobody was. How many things might I have tainted without even realizing?? I…I tainted him, didn’t I?
“O-Orh-hew, I-I-” I barely managed to choke out through my own tears and mucus, taking a step back for fear that my presence was only making things worse. My heart yearned to do something, anything, to ease the pain Orhew had to be feeling, but I refused it. Is that just another predatory trick I’m playing on myself? Who am I? What am I?!
“i-i trusted you,” Orhew coughed out, still reeling from raising his voice so much. Every syllable that came from his mouth stabbed me with another pang of sorrow. “how c-could you…you were pure…b-but I…” He shakily rose to his paws and started to stagger towards me, knife still in paw. I didn’t want him to be anywhere close to a monster like me, so I slid away on the ground, my spines fully flexed to the point of pain.
“i-i need…n-need to purge the taint,” he said, drawing closer towards me with the cooking instrument. How, how could this have happened?? Why did I have to be a…a… It only then occurred to me what he meant by that as his features bubbled with a mixture of agonizing emotions.
“i need to purge you.”
Even through the chemical cocktail that was my brain, my flight instincts kicked into overdrive. “N-No, Orh-hew, please! Please! I-I didn’t k-know about a-any of this!! I-I don’t wa-ant to hurt you!! Please, d-don’t ki-kill me!!” I pleaded for my life as the tears streamed from my eyes, my chest feeling so tight I thought it was about to implode. My vision was bleary with tears as I begged for my life to the man I love, unsure if it was even the right thing to do.
As Mute towered over me, I was unable to look away as he raised the knife above his head, his eyes alone conveying a tidal wave of pain and suffering hidden beneath his short wool. I closed my eyes and waited for him to do what needed to be done…only to be met by the sound of steel clattering against linoleum.
The strike never came.
After a moment, I opened my eyes to see him shaking and muttering to himself words that I could no longer hear from him. From the one I had unknowingly ensnared into whatever dastardly predatory deception I had created deep in my psyche. Even though my body was screaming at me to run, I couldn’t. My mind wouldn’t let me because I knew that I was a danger to everyone else, no matter how good I thought I had become. Because I’m nothing more than a filthy predator. Because death by his paws is what I deserve for everything I've done.
“...go.”
I couldn’t believe my ears. Mute looked at me with a mixture of anger, pain, and sorrow in his features as he pointed sternly at the door. I looked between it and him, my adrenaline-addled mind struggling to comprehend what he was doing. My look only seemed to worsen his inner turmoil, as he clutched his head and screamed at me one last time.
“GO!!!”
That was the loudest I’ve ever heard him speak, even while using his ‘voice.’ The very floor shook with the force of his words, shattering my heart into a billion pieces from the sheer torment in his voice. Mute quickly descended into a violent coughing fit, and suddenly all the inhibitions I had melted away. With a speed beyond my physical limits, I bolted out the door of his house, my reality, and our life together in the unknown streets of the city. I was vaguely aware of people screaming and bodies littering the roadways.
Without thinking, I started to stumble down the road as fast as my paws could take me. I was heading towards the Exterminator’s office, they-they could tell me this wasn’t true, right? That this was all some big misunderstanding, and that I could go back to my happy life, right? I heard a terrible scream from behind me, its baritone raspiness serving to pulverize what was left of my soul. If I even have one.
I just need to get to the office, they’ll be able to help. They’ll be able to save me, just like they did all those [years] ago. Yeah, Nikonus said they saved us! They can do it again! They have to. They have to. They have to. They HAVE TO! Please, oh Protector Please let this be a bad dream! I want this nightmare to end, I want him to wake me up!
I just want my Kavelun back.
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2024.05.13 09:53 Spacevisioners Top 10 Architects in Dehradun
 | https://preview.redd.it/chmy9usbg50d1.png?width=1044&format=png&auto=webp&s=708f9256d8c14e7ce2d7e606c53661426e2869b3 submitted by Spacevisioners to u/Spacevisioners [link] [comments] Dehradun, the richest metropolis, is now a market for new construction and renovation. Since last year, the real estate market in dehradun has grown despite the uncertain pandemic. It also recorded the highest number of homes sold in recent times. This has led to many housing opportunities and requests from people who are looking for many structures. So, if you are looking for the best Architecture Firms in Dehradun Uttarakhand, you have come to the right page! Here, you will find a list of dynamic, flexible and affordable architects to work with the best architects in dehradun. These architects bring out something special and elevate your ordinary work to an extraordinary level. So, in this article, we have covered the top 10 architects in dehradun region, which have the ability to make your dream home or office come true. Emerging from a cluster of seven islands in the Arabian Sea, Dehradun has evolved over centuries into one of the globe's most densely inhabited cities, accommodating around 20 million residents. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the best Architects in dehradun – the Top 10 Architecture Firms in dehradun. We may have overlooked a few businesses. If you think there are people who deserve to be on this list, please don't hesitate to contact us. Work! Spacevisioners: As SPACEVISIONERS, our company offers architectural planning, interior design company in dehradun, landscaping and construction services, offering clients a wide range of services. We pride ourselves on our expertise in creating unique architectural designs for a wide variety of projects. With a focus on residential, commercial and hospitality spaces, we are committed to creating beautiful environments that exceed our clients' expectations. With more than 10 years of experience, we have developed an industry expertise that allows us to understand the unique needs and performance of different businesses. SPACEVISIONERS is a leading multidisciplinary architecture, interior design and project management firm founded in 2014 and located in dehradun The company specializes in architectural and interior design for high-end residential and commercial properties, including hotels and hospitals. Each section of the domain collects one effort to make a hole that is not only creative but also it changes in fact. ABM Architects: ABM Architects is one of the top architecture firms in Dehradun owned by Alfaz Miller and Aahana Miller. They have been recognized for their passion for building, dedication to the job, quick architectural design, extensive design work, and most importantly customer service. The main principle of the company is to mix beauty with practical features. Also, ABM believes that all success is measured by working with customers who are loyal and satisfied with their services. He carefully chooses the right amount of projects for a period and gives the best results. The team can easily carry out large tasks due to the young and efficient team. Abraham John Architects: The firm was founded in 1967. Abraham John Architects' clients range from private companies to corporations and NGOs. Its main principle is to reinvent the house plan. Abraham John Architects design is well known for the methods they follow such as the best use of space, the use of natural materials, the restructuring of light and landscape, the rehabilitation of the environment and the open space. Construction can affect people's lives and society, which is why the company wants to create new plans and approach each project in depth, regardless of its size and shape. Also, customer satisfaction motivates them to do better. Finally, the architect Abraham John has the ability to achieve a balance between functionality and aesthetics. Architecture BRIO: From BRIO Architecture, Ar. It offers different solutions to the conflicting relationships between the city, the interior, the landscape and the interior. This is why it is a successful business in creating a healthy relationship with the natural world. In addition, Architecture BRIO aims to bring modern design to urban and rural areas. Hafeez Contractor: Architect Hafeez Contractor is one of the renowned top construction company in dehradun. It offers unique designs to customers and provides well-designed solutions as per customer requirements. It has an efficient team that plans within time and budget by ensuring quality. Therefore, it has customers both in India and Internationally. Entrepreneur Hafeez was awarded Padma Bhushan in 2016 for his superb architectural design. HOK Architects: Hok Architects is one of the highest and highest Top Architecture Company in Dehradun. It offers a world's design, engineering and planning. HOK Architects has 23 offices on three continents. He understands the world of situations and designs architectural plans accordingly. The designs are technical, imaginatively driven and goal-oriented. This therefore attracted a large number of clients to HOK architects. It is the #1 A/E company according to the construction record, ENR, and its buildings are considered "green." Kapadia Associates: Kapadia Associates was founded in 1991 by Ar. Kiran Kapadia. Since its inception, the company has been working hard to keep exploring the uncharted territory between interior design and design. It is a complete company that does project planning and interior design. The company works with projects regardless of their size and size and provides the best architects in dehradun. Milind Pai Architects: Milind Pai started this business in the first year of graduation with great courage and dedication. The main principle of this company is to create more exciting things. The team is very efficient in turning every project into reality. Milind Pai has created a great work in technology that brings with it the belief of bringing space to life. Morphogenisis: Morphogenisis is one of the most popular companies in India by Manit Rastogi and Sonali Rastogi. It has offices in New Delhi, Dehradun. The company considers support as one of the important factors for any project. It is one of the firms listed in the WA100 of the world's largest architectural firms in dehradun. In addition, Morphogenisis follows a standard process to complete the work. The hard work to reduce the green school. Atelier Design N Domain: Atelier Design N Domain (ADND) is owned by Ar Anand Menon and Ar. Founded by Shobhan Kothari for his love of designing spaces and furniture. It is an architectural and interior design company with a wide range of services spread across many areas of the city. The company believes in treating design as a process, allowing for dialogue and collaboration in different design processes, as well as between clients and designers. Their work philosophy is called "FROGS" - Observation, Analysis, Choice, Greatness, Success. ADND is one of the best architecture firms in Dehradun for internship if you are interested in luxury residential, corporate, hospitality and retail. Conclusion The city of Dehradun is very beautiful, beautiful and functional thanks to the architects and their amazing work. Modern buildings have dominated the suburbs of the city, making the city beautiful and beautiful. Also, the design of modern buildings is the work of architects. So here we have compiled a list of the best construction companies in Dehradun, Uttarakhand who are highly professional and have created exceptional projects not only at the Indian level but also at the international level. These manufacturing companies provide complete solutions for homes, offices, cities, offices, hospitality, etc. We hope that this article has given you enough information about architects in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. |
2024.05.13 07:32 WDKilpackIII Epic Fantasy - Crown Prince: Book One of New Blood - W.D. Kilpack III
- Epic Fantasy
- Crown Prince: Book One of New Blood
- New Blood Saga: Book 1
- W.D. Kilpack III
- Full Cover
- 2021 International Firebird Book Award Winner • 2022 The BookFest Award Winner • 2023 Finalist, Best Mentor Character, Indie Ink Awards • 2024 International Impact Book Award Winner • 2020 Runner-Up Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book of the Year, OnlineBookClub.org • Quarter Finalist Screencraft Cinematic Book Competition
- www.Kilpack.net
- Available in Paperback/eBook/KU/NOOK/Kobo/Smashwords
- "The future of all men relies on the Guardian of Maarihk. Will his Sight be true? Or will his impure Firstblood prove the ruin of us all?"
- Natharr is Guardian of Maarihk, one of a long line of protectors dating back to the Firstborn Age, before the Aa Conquest. Natharr's is an ancient role, rooted in his Firstblood, giving him Sight to see what is yet to be. He adheres to his sacred duties even in the centuries since the Firstborn were forced to the brink of extinction by the Aa. Natharr still stands guard over all men, Aa or Firstborn, Seeing what will come to pass, deciding what is unavoidable and what is not. He spends decades planning how to save the life of the newborn Crown Prince Vikari so he may one day reclaim the throne of the land where Mankind was created, back in the time when the Olde Gods still walked.
- • "I've been won over by Crown Prince! The world is deeply conceived. The prose is well crafted. The solemn, almost-inhuman Guardian/seer standing guard during a deadly siege as the young queen gives birth makes for a hell of a great start! That weightiness to his character was a key point of interest to me that comes across right from the opening pages, plunging right into the thick of it for a wonderful change of pace. Crown Prince is intriguing, grand, strange, and shadowed by ill-omens. It is Shakespearean." — Tom Mock, author of The Long Nights • "A very good book ... [and] a very great read! Natharr is very much tested as he strives to save the life of newborn Crown Prince Vikari. This book reads wonderfully, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to get to know the story. It is full of pulse-pounding adventure and also features great, extensive world-building! Definitely a recommend from me!” — Philip Chase, Ph.D., medievalist and author of The Way of Edan • 5/5 Stars — "Author W.D. Kilpack III presents an atmospheric and immersive journey into a richly crafted fantasy world, balancing a strong character-led adventure with a wider web of plots, setting up a highly complex and enjoyable fantasy saga to follow. There’s a clear flair for character, dialogue, and attitude from the start, with Natharr's intense presence affecting all who encounter him and making for some really dynamic clashes. The weightiness of his responsibilities and the depth of the world-building immediately gripped my attention and, as the story unfolded, the way the characters’ attitudes and actions were shaped by the realism of the worldbuilding was totally compelling. This book delivers on every promise of pulse-pounding adventure — thanks to the swift pacing of the plot, coupled with dark storytelling, strong descriptive skills, and captivating character development that balances emotion with duty well. Overall, I would certainly recommend Crown Prince as an incredible opener to an exciting new fantasy series, and I’m all the more eager to continue exploring this fantastical realm." — K.C. Finn, USA Today best-selling author of The Book of Shade for Reader's Favorite • 5/5 Stars — "The literary creator in his act of creationism. Such is W. D. Kilpack III in his intriguing invention of Crown Prince: Book One of New Blood. Intermingling real world matters of both realm and state, and legendary phenomena of ancient times, Kilpack builds a mythical epic of worlds within worlds, all suspended in time and universal fantastical realism. He has crafted an imaginative tale perfect for lovers of mysticism, magic, ancient battles, romance, and supernatural fantasy. Natharr, the Guardian of Maarihk, is one of the Firstbborn [with] abilities like the gift of prophetic Sight, and he [is] charged with protecting and preparing the newly born prince of the realm, Vikari, until he is ready to take his rightful place as heir to his father’s throne. Set in a richly imagined and described enigmatic world, the story explores themes of family, love, friendship, destiny, time, and power. Adventure and action keep the reader quickly turning the pages ... deliver[ing] a strong narrative of structure, character development, and world building, which smoothly paves the way for the next book in the series, Order Of Light, which I cannot wait to read. Crown Prince is a masterful example of original storytelling, a phenomenal literary creation!" — K.L. Davidson, author of Ten Thousand Fields (British Columbia, Canada) • 4/4 Stars — "Crown Prince stands out with amazing descriptions, complex characters, and intriguing supernatural elements. Book one in the New Blood [Saga], the storyline is incredibly promising. The author has a flair for setting the scene and creating memorable characters. I absolutely loved the descriptive prowess of this author, the thing I enjoyed most about the book ... W. D. Kilpack III genuinely takes the time to help us immerse in the fantasy world, no matter if he describes a battle scene, a peaceful moment, or a mythological creature like a Hamadryad or a Manticore, he always manages to conjure the best images in our minds. The author does a great job of incorporating the supernatural elements in a general atmosphere of myth and legend ... there was nothing I disliked about this novel. I am rating Crown Prince 4 out of 4 stars ... fans of sword-and-sorcery fantasy will definitely find this novel a delightful read ... the series has the potential to acquire epic dimensions ... I am looking forward to reading the sequel, Order of Light." — OnlineBookClub.org • 5/5 Stars — "I absolutely love Crown Prince! It is a very dark epic-fantasy story following a very intimate cast of characters. The way things unfold, you’re thrown into the thick of the action right from the beginning that sinks you in right. The way events unfold to the way characters come together, you cannot help but keep flipping the pages. By the end, I was so invested, I felt so intimate with these characters, that I had to find out what happens next, so I immediately ordered book two, Order of Light! It’s such a good story! It’s such a dark-but-good story, with very good character work, you get really close with these characters, and you can’t help but want to know what happens next!" — Usman, host of Bards and Books YouTube channel (British Columbia, Canada) • 5/5 Stars — With the maps and appendix, "the characters' names, titles, and the names of fascinating places all conjured up by the mind of W. D. Kilpack III [helped] me better understand the intricate facets of this novel. Creating worlds and characters is not a easy, but the author did an excellent job. Crown Prince has everything you want: intertwining sword scenes, the battles of a war, kings, queens, knights, magic, fairies, love, sex, great beasts, and unthinkable dangers thatNatharr has to endure. Kilpack puts you in the middle as Vikari starts to grow and learn. So does Natharr for he begins to love the child as his own. Kilpack's ability to crystally describe a scene [was] like I was taking part in a meal or a sword fight. Crown Prince flowed smoothly and any fan of fantasy will rejoice [and] if you have never read a fantasy novel (like me), this one will get you hooked into the genre." — Jose F. Nodar, author of Books, Pens & Larceny (South Wales, Australia) • 5/5 Stars — "Crown Prince is one of the most brilliant fantasy novels that I have ever had the pleasure of reading and a book I am now obsessed with! Crown Prince is an incredible, thrilling and memorable story that will take its readers on a journey like no other. Crown Prince captivated me from the first page thanks to the book's sharp literature and strong opening ... [the author] is not only a phenomenal writer for his flawless ability to capture his reader's attention, but he is also a great writer for his descriptive powers and characterization of characters which will hook his readers! Crown Prince is a sensational, thrilling and addictive story that will thrill you as well as entertain you." — RedHeadedBookLover.com • 5/5 Butterflies — "Crown Prince was such a delight to read! Normally, we don't see the child growing up ... or really get a chance to get attached to whoever raised him. This author took that trope, shook it up and turned it into something amazing! We get to see the heir as a baby, to see him grow up [and] develop that close bond a son has with his father. It's a really beautiful thing ... normally glazed over in this type of story ... but you get to see how strong their bond is. I'm so grateful! Something else I really enjoyed is how well Darshelle and Natharr played off each other. Often, they have deep conversations that involve a culture clash, where they may not agree with each other's perspective, but they are willing to try to understand. I [also] loved this author's world building, especially the magic forest and all the interesting creatures that live in it! The village of the cat-people was such a fun scene and so interesting showing the cat-people society and how it was different. It was really fun! If you don't grab yourself a copy of Crown Prince, you're doing yourself a huge disservice! It's a wonderful story and such a fun read!" — Madam Crystal Butterfly • 5/5 Stars — "Kilpack delivers a stunning blow to the belief that Indie-Fantasy is worth any less that its salt. Crown Prince is a well-crafted epic with unique plot mechanisms, well-developed and believable characters, and a world grounded in the visceral and the real. I could not recommend this series any higher!" — Clay Vermulm, co-host of Sinister Soup Podcast • 5/5 Stars — "A fantastic world of swords and magic! A very strong start to the series! W.D. Kilpack III does know how to draw a reader into a world of swords and magic. I found myself unable to put the book down, diving deeper into the fantastic world. I can say, that I am a fan of his work and will soon be reading Order of Light, the second book from the New Blood [Saga]." — BooksShelf.com • 5/5 Stars — Crown Prince is "a great mix of fantasy and action and adventure! It kept me on my toes the whole time and I was completely hooked! The world building in this book is amazing. I could read 20 books in this world. The fight scenes and characters are amazing. They pull you in so deeply ... that I didn't want to stop reading way past when I should have!" — Jay.Rae.Reads • 5/5 Stars — Crown Prince illustrates "the burden of knowledge and the responsibilities involved in being able to see the future. Natharr is a great hero: think Aragorn/Alanon/Teddy Roosevelt. He bears the burden of being Guardian of Maarihk with dignity but, at the same time, is human and has flaws, like having a bit of a temper. Darshelle is conflicted and a walking contradiction, being proud and strong, while still insecure and flawed. I love the world, where magic is more subtle, while there is another element that reminded me of Greek mythology, because the gods are real and took direct action in history. There is some violence, which seems to fit well within the framework of this world where epic fantasy and realism are intertwined." — Critic, Salt Lake City, UT • 5/5 Stars — Crown Prince is "a fantastic tale filled with all things beautiful, dark, and magical! Filled with adventure and drama! The author's world is absolutely stunning, and I can't wait to read the next installment in the story!" — Cherumanalil (Bangalore, India) • 4/4 Stars — Crown Prince is "an adventure full of thrilling moments [that] hook you right from page one. Each page has a new secret to unfold. This book made a mark on my mind and now I cam curious to read the other books in the series. I loved reading it and have rated it four stars. Books like these deserve the hype!" — Read With Emilee • 5/5 Stars — "From the start you are drawn into a world of fantasy. With each page, you want more. The author gives the feel you are the character fighting for your life and those you defend. A great read, with the power to keep you from putting it down. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in something new, with a twist and feel of a classic fantasy!" — Tom Carr, author of Talking to Yourself in the Dark • 4/4 Stars — Crown Prince is "an absolutely brilliant fantasy read ... [Kilpack created] a master introduction. The plot building was incredible. The journey sucks you in so much that you immediately want to carry on with the series. I'll definitely complete this series." — Twilight Reader (Wales) • 4/4 Stars — "If you're looking for something new with a a twist of classic fantasy, this is for you. It amazes me that someone can create an entire world from scratch with everything that this involes. Character building is wonderful and the descriptions of what happens are good. It is very detailed, so you get immersed in the story. Lots of things happen in this book. [Crown Prince] is a good and strong start for a new series!" — June.Reads (London, England) • 4/4 Stars — Crown Prince is "a lovely fantasy. Great read! Great characters! Writing style amazing! I loved this world. A new author I discovered and hope to read more from this author in the future!" — Rhianny DD Morris (South Wales, Australia) • 4.7/5 Stars — Crown Prince "transported me into a world where life-and-death situations were commonplace and everyone had a cause to fight for! The distinction between the Firstborn and the Aa was fascinating [and] really got me hooked! The characters are fantastic, descriptions of battles draw in you and there's a shock in every chapter! I love fantasy books and I'll add this to my pile of highly recommended sagas!" — Books with Gina (England) • 4.5/5 Stars — Crown Prince is like "watching a movie. The author has narrated ... in a very fluent and visual way. It is an adventurous and twisted novel that will always keep the reader wanting more. Every page is a new unfolding and a new mystery. The plot is exquisite and emphasizes important values like willpower, determination, and truth. A captivating read [especially] those in search of something abnormally smart!" — Reads.Nancy • 4.5/5 Stars — "Crown Prince is one of the most fantastic fantasy books that I have read so far! The book is a blend of thrills, mystery, fun, excitement, and drama! It has got everything that a good book should have. The plot is unpredictable and twisted. So much is happening all at once, but the smooth narration takes care of it all." — Just Pratibha (India) • 4/5 Stars — "A fantastic read! What a grand story in Crown Prince. I am very impressed with the writing and storytelling. Kilpack does a great job of building a world filled with princes, pasts that dictate the future. Kilpack details the scenes, filled with action, and brings the creatures to life! Crown Prince is filled with swords and sorcery, magic, myths and legends, that really bring it as believable. This author is a great storyteller. The story brings the reader on a superb journey. Who could ask for more when it's filled with magical/fantastical creatures and other interesting beings?" — Amy's Bookshelf • "Once I got into [Crown Prince], I struggled to put it down! The world Kilpack has created is so detailed and imaginative you can't help but be drawn in. This book is a fantasy that give you war, knights, romance and hidden dangers. It covers it all! As the first in the series, it sets the scene brilliantly ... I would recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy books and fairytales!" — Kat Books Teas Cakes (UK) • "I had the pleasure of reading Crown Prince and Kilpack — he makes maps, folks! — emphasizes detail. The characters are living real lives, even though it's a fantasy. It was well done! He built his world with great care and precision." — Ken Weene, Ph.D., co-host of the Let's Talk It Over videocast
- Warnings: Violence, Sexual Content, Mature Themes; suitable for older teens and adults.
- Amazon NOOK Kobo Smashwords
2024.05.13 06:34 greg0525 Make a Difference
The desire to add something valuable to life is a deeply human aspiration. We all want to make a positive impact on the world and leave behind a legacy that will be remembered long after we're gone. It's a natural and noble desire, and it's something that can give our lives meaning and purpose.
But there's also a flip side to this desire. When we feel that we haven't lived up to our potential or that we haven't made a significant contribution to the world, it can be a source of deep desperation and regret. This is especially true when we near the end of our lives and realize that time is running out.
Chris Johnson was exactly in the same situation and he was desperate to do something about it.
***
The man was sitting in the doctor's office, feeling a sense of dread wash over him. He had been experiencing unexplainable fatigue and pain for weeks, and he finally decided to see a doctor. However, the news he received was not what he expected.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Johnson," the doctor said, his voice somber. "We found that you have cancer, and it's in its late stages. Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do."
Chris felt his heart drop to his stomach. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. He was only in his early forties, and the thought of his life being cut short was too much to bear.
"How long do I have?" he asked, his voice trembling.
The doctor hesitated before answering. "I'm sorry to say this, but you only have about six months."
Chris felt like the room was spinning. He couldn't believe that he had only six months left to live.
He stood up, feeling a sense of numbness wash over him, and left the doctor's office without saying another word.
As he walked outside, the world seemed to be moving in slow motion. He couldn't help but think about everything he still wanted to do with his life. He had dreams of traveling the world, starting a family, and making a difference in the world. But now, all of that seemed impossible.
He got into his car and drove home, feeling lost and alone. When he finally arrived, he sat on the couch, trying to make sense of what had just happened.
"I have cancer," he whispered to himself, tears streaming down his face. "I have cancer."
Chris had always been ambitious and hardworking. He had started his own business when he was only twenty-five, and over the years, he had worked tirelessly to make it successful. He had amassed a great deal of wealth, but despite all of his accomplishments, he still felt like something was missing.
He just couldn't shake off the feeling that he hadn't contributed anything of real value to the world. He had spent his life chasing success and wealth, but he didn't feel like he had made a meaningful impact on anyone's life.
As he was sitting in his luxurious home, surrounded by all the trappings of wealth and success, he felt an overwhelming sense of emptiness. He realized that all of his material possessions couldn't fill the void that he felt in his heart.
"I have everything," he said to himself, looking around the room. "But what have I really accomplished? What have I done that is truly valuable?"
He knew that he had to do something to change the way he felt. He had to find a way to make a real difference in the world, to contribute something of value that would outlast him.
The following day, a heavy burden weighed on Chris's heart. He knew he had only six months left to live, and he was desperate to make the most of the time he had left. He decided to go for a walk in the nearby park to clear his head and to seek solace in the beauty of nature. The morning sun cast warm, golden rays on the city, and the scent of fresh dew on the grass greeted him as he stepped out of his home.
As Chris walked, he took in the vivid details of the world around him. The vibrant petals of the flowers danced gently in the breeze, and the leaves of the towering oak trees rustled softly above. He listened to the melodic chirping of the birds and the distant laughter of children playing in the park. Every sensation seemed more intense, as if he was experiencing them for the first time.
Lost in his thoughts, Chris approached the edge of the park. He hesitated for a moment, savoring the anticipation of stepping into the serene haven that awaited him. Suddenly, a powerful engine roared in the distance, and a car came careening around the bend at an alarming speed.
The world seemed to move in slow motion as the car hurtled towards Chris. The horrified expressions of the pedestrians etched into his mind as they shouted in warning. In an instant, the car slammed into him, throwing him onto the unforgiving pavement with a sickening thud.
Gasps of shock and fear filled the air as the pedestrians rushed to Chris's side. The driver, with wide eyes and trembling hands, stumbled out of the car, mumbling apologies and pleading for forgiveness. But for Chris, everything faded to black as the pain enveloped him, and he slipped into unconsciousness.
When he opened his eyes, he could feel pain but it was mild. He slowly stood up, and carefully examined himself, expecting to find injuries, but to his surprise, his body was unscathed. A wave of relief washed over him as he realized he had somehow escaped the terrible accident.
The driver, unable to make sense of the situation, stammered out an apology.
"Oh, my God! Are you okay? I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there!" the driver exclaimed, his voice trembling with fear and guilt.
Chris, still in disbelief, replied, "I... I think I'm fine. I don't know how, but I'm not hurt."
The driver, relieved but still puzzled, agreed. "I'm just glad you're alright." With that, the driver returned to his car, and the crowd dispersed, still murmuring about the event they had just witnessed.
As Chris resumed his walk, something was odd. The street around him somehow had changed.
The city was full of colour and energy. Bright posters and graffiti decorated the walls, while gleaming convertibles cruised down the roads. Bicyclists zipped through traffic, while pedestrians were walking around with enthusiasm and purpose.
The streets were lined with colorful, graffiti-covered walls, brick buildings, and bustling shops. There was a variety of vehicles ranging from old classic cars to the newest models. Strains of all genres of music echoed in the air from passing cars and speakers mounted on corners.
The streets were alive with people of all ages, sizes, and backgrounds. The men and women were wearing brightly-colored clothes and hairstyles. On the sidewalks, old-fashioned metal boomboxes played a variety of music from rap to disco. The buildings were a mix of classic brick and modern glass, with neon signs highlighting the night sky.
Strains of laughter and conversations could be heard from storefronts, while street vendors peddled their wares in an enthusiastic chorus. The quiet hum of traffic blended with the sounds of sirens and honking horns. Faint music permeated the atmosphere, reverberating off the walls and buildings in a steady rhythm.
It wasn’t his city. He was somewhere else.
As he looked around, he noticed a quaint newsstand nestled between two towering oak trees. The scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, drawing him closer. An old-fashioned bell chimed as he approached, announcing his presence to the vendor.
The newspaper displayed on the counter caught his eye, and Chris felt a shiver run down his spine. The date on the paper read May 25, 1983. He picked up the paper and scanned the headlines, finding that they all aligned with events from that era.
PRESIDENT REAGAN PROPOSES 'STAR WARS' MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM
BREAKTHROUGH IN TECHNOLOGY: THE FIRST MOBILE PHONE CALL MADE
LEBANON'S CIVIL WAR CONTINUES TO ESCALATE"
RECORD UNEMPLOYMENT RATE: US ECONOMY FACES STAGNATION"
SALLY RIDE PREPARES FOR HISTORIC SPACE FLIGHT AS FIRST AMERICAN WOMAN ASTRONAUT"
ATARI UNLEASHES 'STAR WARS' ARCADE GAME, BECOMES INSTANT HIT"
FLASHDANCE FEVER: THE BOX OFFICE HIT TAKES AMERICA BY STORM"
Confused and alarmed, Chris wondered if he had somehow traveled back in time.
The vendor, a gruff middle-aged man with a bushy mustache, eyed Chris with suspicion. "You gonna buy that paper or just stand there gawking at it?" he asked, his voice dripping with impatience.
Chris hesitated, still trying to process the situation. "Uh, sure," he replied, reaching into his pocket to pull out the appropriate amount of money. He handed the bills to the vendor, who immediately scoffed.
"What kind of joke is this?" the vendor barked, holding up the money with disdain. "This ain't real money! The date says 2020! You trying to scam me, kid?"
Chris stammered his confusion mounting. "No, I promise, I don't know what's going on. This is the money I have."
The vendor glared at him, clearly not convinced. "Well, you can't buy anything with this whatever fake shit you gave me. Now, either pay up with the real stuff or get out of here!"
Feeling defeated and disoriented, Chris decided it was best to leave the newsstand. "Sorry for the confusion," he mumbled, placing the newspaper back on the counter and walking away.
As Chris wandered the streets, now he was more confident that he had been transported back in time. The people around him wore clothing styles from the 1980s, and the cars that drove past were all models from that era. He felt as if he had stepped into a different world, one that was simultaneously familiar and alien.
Desperate for answers, Chris approached a passerby, a friendly-looking woman in her 30s. "Excuse me, ma'am," he said, trying to sound as calm as possible. "I know this might sound strange, but could you tell me today's date?"
The woman looked at him quizzically but answered with a warm smile. "Of course, dear. It's May 25, 1983. Is everything alright?"
Chris felt his heart sink, realizing that he had indeed traveled back in time. "Yes, thank you," he replied, his voice shaky. "I'm just a bit disoriented, that's all."
As Chris continued his journey through the past, he couldn't help but wonder how and why he had been transported to this time. He was determined to uncover the truth and find a way back to his own time, all while grappling with the reality that he had been given an extraordinary opportunity to experience a different era firsthand.
"Are you looking for something, Mister?" a curious child asked, sitting on his bicycle with wide, inquisitive eyes.
Chris, still lost in his thoughts about the miraculous incident, turned to the child and offered him a gentle smile. "Well, not exactly," Chris replied, still trying to process the events that had just unfolded. "I just experienced something incredible, and I'm trying to make sense of it all."
The child's curiosity grew, and he propped his bicycle against a nearby tree before sitting down beside Chris on the park bench. "What happened?" he asked, his eyes filled with wonder.
Chris hesitated for a moment before deciding to share his story. "I was walking to the park when a car came speeding towards me. It hit me, but somehow, I wasn't hurt at all. I don't understand how, but it feels like a miracle."
The child's eyes widened with amazement. "Wow, that sounds incredible! Maybe you have a guardian angel watching over you, or maybe you're just really lucky!"
Chris chuckled at the child's enthusiasm. "Maybe so. Either way, it's made me realize how important it is to cherish every moment of our lives. You know kid, life is a gift, and we should make the most of it."
The boy smiled, touched by the Chris’s wisdom. "You are right. When I grew up, I want to be a lawyer and protect the innocent. I think that will be a good way to make the most out of my time."
The child stood up and retrieved his bicycle. "I'm going to remember what you have said Mister, and try to live my life to the fullest too! I am Alex by the way," he said and with a determined expression and a wave, the young boy pedaled away, leaving Chris with a newfound sense of gratitude.
As Chris treaded further into the park, a sense of serenity engulfed him. He had no clue how he arrived at this place, yet it didn't faze him. All that mattered was that peaceful energy surrounding him. He plopped down on a nearby bench. Across from him, four boys were playing football near a wide lawn, throwing short passes under the watchful eyes of their parents and siblings who cheered them on. The grass rippled like a lush carpet being blown by a summer breeze, running from one goal to another. Overhead, clouds drifted through an endless blue sky as birds flapped their wings above them. Chris leaned back and soaked in all the sights around him.
But as he was sitting there quietly, his face was suddenly met with an airborne ball that connected with his skull. Then, everything faded to black.
Chris' eyes blinked open to find himself lying in a hospital bed. He glanced around the room, taking in the medical equipment surrounding him. He was in bad shape, and he wondered how he had got there. He wished he could go back to where he had been before waking up, then remembered his accident and realized travelling back in time must have been just a hallucination.
As Chris woke up, he tried to sit up, but the pain was excruciating. Then, as he attempted to move his legs, he realized with horror that he couldn't feel them. Panic set in as he tried to move them again, but nothing happened. Just then, the door opened with a loud creak, and a doctor walked in.
"Ah, Mr. Johnson, I'm glad to see you're awake," the doctor said, glancing at Chris's chart.
"You were in a car accident and suffered a spinal injury, but we were able to perform surgery and stabilize your spine. The bad news is however…"
“That I can't move my legs," Chris finished the sentence, his voice shaky with fear.
“This is what I was afraid of,” the doctor said as he touched Chris's legs.
"Can you feel it?" Chris tried to move them again, but there was nothing.
"No, nothing. Is it permanent?" he asked, his heart racing with dread.
"I am sorry to tell you, but the nerve damage is so serious that I'm not sure you will ever be able to move your legs again," the doctor replied gravely.
Chris's heart sank as he heard the news. He couldn't believe this was happening to him. "What am I going to do now?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I have cancer, and I only have six months to live. How am I supposed to contribute to the world without working legs?"
The doctor looked at him with sympathy.
"I understand and I have seen your medical history. I am really sorry that you are in this situation, but it's important that you follow our instructions and allow your body to heal. Even moving around too much in bed could cause further injury or delay your recovery."
Chris felt frustrated and helpless.
"If I were healthy, I would probably kill the driver," he said, his voice full of anger.
The doctor patted him on the shoulder. "I understand that. We'll help you as much as we can, Mr. Johnson. For now, you will need to stay in bed for a while longer to allow your body to heal. Moving forward, we will make sure you have everything you need to be comfortable, including a wheelchair if necessary." Chris sighed, realizing that he had no choice but to listen to the doctor's advice.
“Oh and there is a man here who would like to talk to you,” the doctor said and left the room leaving Chris there in bed with his thoughts and his uncertain future.
A man wearing a sharp suit walked through the door. His sharp suit was pressed. The fancy clothes and haughty stare almost made Chris laugh—this guy didn't look like the kind of person who could help him out. He must have been some politician.
The man introduced himself as Alex Davis.
"I heard about your accident and I wanted to offer my legal services," Alex said, sitting down in a chair next to Chris's bed.
Chris was surprised but intrigued. "Legal services? What do you mean?"
"If you choose to sue, you could potentially receive financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The driver was under the influence of drugs. As for his ability to pay, there are legal options we can explore to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve."
"But as you see, I only have limited time here. There’s no point in suing the driver. With a wheelchair or without it, my life ends soon. Even with your kindness, we can hardly make my life any better.”
“Mr Johnson, I understand that but I became a lawyer because I want to make a positive impact on people’s lives. Someone once told me how important it to cherish every moment of our lives. Life is a gift and we should make the most out of it. Don’t just let it go. Not yet.”
Chris was taken aback when he realized that the words coming out of the boy's mouth were the same as he had said earlier.
“It wasn’t a dream,” he murmured.
“I’m sorry?”
“Nothing, boy. I am all right. It seems I have done something valuable.”
All he could say was this and he could now die in peace.
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submitted by greg0525 to DarkTales [link] [comments]
But there's also a flip side to this desire. When we feel that we haven't lived up to our potential or that we haven't made a significant contribution to the world, it can be a source of deep desperation and regret. This is especially true when we near the end of our lives and realize that time is running out.
Chris Johnson was exactly in the same situation and he was desperate to do something about it.
***
The man was sitting in the doctor's office, feeling a sense of dread wash over him. He had been experiencing unexplainable fatigue and pain for weeks, and he finally decided to see a doctor. However, the news he received was not what he expected.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Johnson," the doctor said, his voice somber. "We found that you have cancer, and it's in its late stages. Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do."
Chris felt his heart drop to his stomach. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. He was only in his early forties, and the thought of his life being cut short was too much to bear.
"How long do I have?" he asked, his voice trembling.
The doctor hesitated before answering. "I'm sorry to say this, but you only have about six months."
Chris felt like the room was spinning. He couldn't believe that he had only six months left to live.
He stood up, feeling a sense of numbness wash over him, and left the doctor's office without saying another word.
As he walked outside, the world seemed to be moving in slow motion. He couldn't help but think about everything he still wanted to do with his life. He had dreams of traveling the world, starting a family, and making a difference in the world. But now, all of that seemed impossible.
He got into his car and drove home, feeling lost and alone. When he finally arrived, he sat on the couch, trying to make sense of what had just happened.
"I have cancer," he whispered to himself, tears streaming down his face. "I have cancer."
Chris had always been ambitious and hardworking. He had started his own business when he was only twenty-five, and over the years, he had worked tirelessly to make it successful. He had amassed a great deal of wealth, but despite all of his accomplishments, he still felt like something was missing.
He just couldn't shake off the feeling that he hadn't contributed anything of real value to the world. He had spent his life chasing success and wealth, but he didn't feel like he had made a meaningful impact on anyone's life.
As he was sitting in his luxurious home, surrounded by all the trappings of wealth and success, he felt an overwhelming sense of emptiness. He realized that all of his material possessions couldn't fill the void that he felt in his heart.
"I have everything," he said to himself, looking around the room. "But what have I really accomplished? What have I done that is truly valuable?"
He knew that he had to do something to change the way he felt. He had to find a way to make a real difference in the world, to contribute something of value that would outlast him.
The following day, a heavy burden weighed on Chris's heart. He knew he had only six months left to live, and he was desperate to make the most of the time he had left. He decided to go for a walk in the nearby park to clear his head and to seek solace in the beauty of nature. The morning sun cast warm, golden rays on the city, and the scent of fresh dew on the grass greeted him as he stepped out of his home.
As Chris walked, he took in the vivid details of the world around him. The vibrant petals of the flowers danced gently in the breeze, and the leaves of the towering oak trees rustled softly above. He listened to the melodic chirping of the birds and the distant laughter of children playing in the park. Every sensation seemed more intense, as if he was experiencing them for the first time.
Lost in his thoughts, Chris approached the edge of the park. He hesitated for a moment, savoring the anticipation of stepping into the serene haven that awaited him. Suddenly, a powerful engine roared in the distance, and a car came careening around the bend at an alarming speed.
The world seemed to move in slow motion as the car hurtled towards Chris. The horrified expressions of the pedestrians etched into his mind as they shouted in warning. In an instant, the car slammed into him, throwing him onto the unforgiving pavement with a sickening thud.
Gasps of shock and fear filled the air as the pedestrians rushed to Chris's side. The driver, with wide eyes and trembling hands, stumbled out of the car, mumbling apologies and pleading for forgiveness. But for Chris, everything faded to black as the pain enveloped him, and he slipped into unconsciousness.
When he opened his eyes, he could feel pain but it was mild. He slowly stood up, and carefully examined himself, expecting to find injuries, but to his surprise, his body was unscathed. A wave of relief washed over him as he realized he had somehow escaped the terrible accident.
The driver, unable to make sense of the situation, stammered out an apology.
"Oh, my God! Are you okay? I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there!" the driver exclaimed, his voice trembling with fear and guilt.
Chris, still in disbelief, replied, "I... I think I'm fine. I don't know how, but I'm not hurt."
The driver, relieved but still puzzled, agreed. "I'm just glad you're alright." With that, the driver returned to his car, and the crowd dispersed, still murmuring about the event they had just witnessed.
As Chris resumed his walk, something was odd. The street around him somehow had changed.
The city was full of colour and energy. Bright posters and graffiti decorated the walls, while gleaming convertibles cruised down the roads. Bicyclists zipped through traffic, while pedestrians were walking around with enthusiasm and purpose.
The streets were lined with colorful, graffiti-covered walls, brick buildings, and bustling shops. There was a variety of vehicles ranging from old classic cars to the newest models. Strains of all genres of music echoed in the air from passing cars and speakers mounted on corners.
The streets were alive with people of all ages, sizes, and backgrounds. The men and women were wearing brightly-colored clothes and hairstyles. On the sidewalks, old-fashioned metal boomboxes played a variety of music from rap to disco. The buildings were a mix of classic brick and modern glass, with neon signs highlighting the night sky.
Strains of laughter and conversations could be heard from storefronts, while street vendors peddled their wares in an enthusiastic chorus. The quiet hum of traffic blended with the sounds of sirens and honking horns. Faint music permeated the atmosphere, reverberating off the walls and buildings in a steady rhythm.
It wasn’t his city. He was somewhere else.
As he looked around, he noticed a quaint newsstand nestled between two towering oak trees. The scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, drawing him closer. An old-fashioned bell chimed as he approached, announcing his presence to the vendor.
The newspaper displayed on the counter caught his eye, and Chris felt a shiver run down his spine. The date on the paper read May 25, 1983. He picked up the paper and scanned the headlines, finding that they all aligned with events from that era.
PRESIDENT REAGAN PROPOSES 'STAR WARS' MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM
BREAKTHROUGH IN TECHNOLOGY: THE FIRST MOBILE PHONE CALL MADE
LEBANON'S CIVIL WAR CONTINUES TO ESCALATE"
RECORD UNEMPLOYMENT RATE: US ECONOMY FACES STAGNATION"
SALLY RIDE PREPARES FOR HISTORIC SPACE FLIGHT AS FIRST AMERICAN WOMAN ASTRONAUT"
ATARI UNLEASHES 'STAR WARS' ARCADE GAME, BECOMES INSTANT HIT"
FLASHDANCE FEVER: THE BOX OFFICE HIT TAKES AMERICA BY STORM"
Confused and alarmed, Chris wondered if he had somehow traveled back in time.
The vendor, a gruff middle-aged man with a bushy mustache, eyed Chris with suspicion. "You gonna buy that paper or just stand there gawking at it?" he asked, his voice dripping with impatience.
Chris hesitated, still trying to process the situation. "Uh, sure," he replied, reaching into his pocket to pull out the appropriate amount of money. He handed the bills to the vendor, who immediately scoffed.
"What kind of joke is this?" the vendor barked, holding up the money with disdain. "This ain't real money! The date says 2020! You trying to scam me, kid?"
Chris stammered his confusion mounting. "No, I promise, I don't know what's going on. This is the money I have."
The vendor glared at him, clearly not convinced. "Well, you can't buy anything with this whatever fake shit you gave me. Now, either pay up with the real stuff or get out of here!"
Feeling defeated and disoriented, Chris decided it was best to leave the newsstand. "Sorry for the confusion," he mumbled, placing the newspaper back on the counter and walking away.
As Chris wandered the streets, now he was more confident that he had been transported back in time. The people around him wore clothing styles from the 1980s, and the cars that drove past were all models from that era. He felt as if he had stepped into a different world, one that was simultaneously familiar and alien.
Desperate for answers, Chris approached a passerby, a friendly-looking woman in her 30s. "Excuse me, ma'am," he said, trying to sound as calm as possible. "I know this might sound strange, but could you tell me today's date?"
The woman looked at him quizzically but answered with a warm smile. "Of course, dear. It's May 25, 1983. Is everything alright?"
Chris felt his heart sink, realizing that he had indeed traveled back in time. "Yes, thank you," he replied, his voice shaky. "I'm just a bit disoriented, that's all."
As Chris continued his journey through the past, he couldn't help but wonder how and why he had been transported to this time. He was determined to uncover the truth and find a way back to his own time, all while grappling with the reality that he had been given an extraordinary opportunity to experience a different era firsthand.
"Are you looking for something, Mister?" a curious child asked, sitting on his bicycle with wide, inquisitive eyes.
Chris, still lost in his thoughts about the miraculous incident, turned to the child and offered him a gentle smile. "Well, not exactly," Chris replied, still trying to process the events that had just unfolded. "I just experienced something incredible, and I'm trying to make sense of it all."
The child's curiosity grew, and he propped his bicycle against a nearby tree before sitting down beside Chris on the park bench. "What happened?" he asked, his eyes filled with wonder.
Chris hesitated for a moment before deciding to share his story. "I was walking to the park when a car came speeding towards me. It hit me, but somehow, I wasn't hurt at all. I don't understand how, but it feels like a miracle."
The child's eyes widened with amazement. "Wow, that sounds incredible! Maybe you have a guardian angel watching over you, or maybe you're just really lucky!"
Chris chuckled at the child's enthusiasm. "Maybe so. Either way, it's made me realize how important it is to cherish every moment of our lives. You know kid, life is a gift, and we should make the most of it."
The boy smiled, touched by the Chris’s wisdom. "You are right. When I grew up, I want to be a lawyer and protect the innocent. I think that will be a good way to make the most out of my time."
The child stood up and retrieved his bicycle. "I'm going to remember what you have said Mister, and try to live my life to the fullest too! I am Alex by the way," he said and with a determined expression and a wave, the young boy pedaled away, leaving Chris with a newfound sense of gratitude.
As Chris treaded further into the park, a sense of serenity engulfed him. He had no clue how he arrived at this place, yet it didn't faze him. All that mattered was that peaceful energy surrounding him. He plopped down on a nearby bench. Across from him, four boys were playing football near a wide lawn, throwing short passes under the watchful eyes of their parents and siblings who cheered them on. The grass rippled like a lush carpet being blown by a summer breeze, running from one goal to another. Overhead, clouds drifted through an endless blue sky as birds flapped their wings above them. Chris leaned back and soaked in all the sights around him.
But as he was sitting there quietly, his face was suddenly met with an airborne ball that connected with his skull. Then, everything faded to black.
Chris' eyes blinked open to find himself lying in a hospital bed. He glanced around the room, taking in the medical equipment surrounding him. He was in bad shape, and he wondered how he had got there. He wished he could go back to where he had been before waking up, then remembered his accident and realized travelling back in time must have been just a hallucination.
As Chris woke up, he tried to sit up, but the pain was excruciating. Then, as he attempted to move his legs, he realized with horror that he couldn't feel them. Panic set in as he tried to move them again, but nothing happened. Just then, the door opened with a loud creak, and a doctor walked in.
"Ah, Mr. Johnson, I'm glad to see you're awake," the doctor said, glancing at Chris's chart.
"You were in a car accident and suffered a spinal injury, but we were able to perform surgery and stabilize your spine. The bad news is however…"
“That I can't move my legs," Chris finished the sentence, his voice shaky with fear.
“This is what I was afraid of,” the doctor said as he touched Chris's legs.
"Can you feel it?" Chris tried to move them again, but there was nothing.
"No, nothing. Is it permanent?" he asked, his heart racing with dread.
"I am sorry to tell you, but the nerve damage is so serious that I'm not sure you will ever be able to move your legs again," the doctor replied gravely.
Chris's heart sank as he heard the news. He couldn't believe this was happening to him. "What am I going to do now?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I have cancer, and I only have six months to live. How am I supposed to contribute to the world without working legs?"
The doctor looked at him with sympathy.
"I understand and I have seen your medical history. I am really sorry that you are in this situation, but it's important that you follow our instructions and allow your body to heal. Even moving around too much in bed could cause further injury or delay your recovery."
Chris felt frustrated and helpless.
"If I were healthy, I would probably kill the driver," he said, his voice full of anger.
The doctor patted him on the shoulder. "I understand that. We'll help you as much as we can, Mr. Johnson. For now, you will need to stay in bed for a while longer to allow your body to heal. Moving forward, we will make sure you have everything you need to be comfortable, including a wheelchair if necessary." Chris sighed, realizing that he had no choice but to listen to the doctor's advice.
“Oh and there is a man here who would like to talk to you,” the doctor said and left the room leaving Chris there in bed with his thoughts and his uncertain future.
A man wearing a sharp suit walked through the door. His sharp suit was pressed. The fancy clothes and haughty stare almost made Chris laugh—this guy didn't look like the kind of person who could help him out. He must have been some politician.
The man introduced himself as Alex Davis.
"I heard about your accident and I wanted to offer my legal services," Alex said, sitting down in a chair next to Chris's bed.
Chris was surprised but intrigued. "Legal services? What do you mean?"
"If you choose to sue, you could potentially receive financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The driver was under the influence of drugs. As for his ability to pay, there are legal options we can explore to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve."
"But as you see, I only have limited time here. There’s no point in suing the driver. With a wheelchair or without it, my life ends soon. Even with your kindness, we can hardly make my life any better.”
“Mr Johnson, I understand that but I became a lawyer because I want to make a positive impact on people’s lives. Someone once told me how important it to cherish every moment of our lives. Life is a gift and we should make the most out of it. Don’t just let it go. Not yet.”
Chris was taken aback when he realized that the words coming out of the boy's mouth were the same as he had said earlier.
“It wasn’t a dream,” he murmured.
“I’m sorry?”
“Nothing, boy. I am all right. It seems I have done something valuable.”
All he could say was this and he could now die in peace.
More
2024.05.13 06:34 hubb2001 Translation Status Update/Discussion - May 12
Previous thread
This is the weekly translation status update thread. Use this thread to discuss translation news, issues, titles you're looking forward to, etc.
Note: This is simply a mirror from 4chan's weekly thread on the /jp/ board. All credit goes to the user VNTS there. I'm simply copying and pasting for discussion sake here since some people can't access 4chan.
Entries in Bold have had changes since last week
Entries in itallics denote my own changes
submitted by hubb2001 to vns [link] [comments]
This is the weekly translation status update thread. Use this thread to discuss translation news, issues, titles you're looking forward to, etc.
Note: This is simply a mirror from 4chan's weekly thread on the /jp/ board. All credit goes to the user VNTS there. I'm simply copying and pasting for discussion sake here since some people can't access 4chan.
Entries in Bold have had changes since last week
Entries in itallics denote my own changes
Fan Translations
- 12RIVEN -the Ψcliminal of integral- - 42% translated
- Aiyoku No Eustia - In progress 100% TL patch leaked, project to continue, 100% Translated/edited/TLC
- Akatsuki no Goei ~Principal-tachi no Kyuujitsu~ - 100% translated and edited, 70.11% through QA
- Akatsuki no Goei ~Tsumibukaki Shuumatsuron~ - 100% translated, 41,122 lines edited (67.64%), 4,508 (7.42%) through QA
- Axanael - "Overwhelming majority" of the text translated, including the main story, some side content remains, in need of editing
- CHAOS;HEAD Love Chu Chu! - 70.54% translated, 22.70% edited
- CHAOS;CHILD Love Chu Chu!! - 100% translated, 55.30% edited
- Chusingura 46+1 - 36455/82770 (44.04%) lines translated, Kuranosuke route partial patch released
- Dragon Knight 4 - 60% translated, playtesting also ongoing
- Fate/Stay Night - Partial patch released with a new translation for Fate/UBW/9 days of HF
- Haruka na Sora - Sora and Yahiro routes translated, Kozue 75% translated, Sora 90% edited
- Honoo no Haramase Oppai Nyuu Doukyuusei ~Oppai mo Haramase! New Class Zen'in Harama-sensation!~ - Picked up, porting to Ren'Py
- If My Heart Had Wings: Snow Presents - 100% translated, 100% edited
- Jisatsu no Tame no 101 no Houhou - 17% translated
- Junketsu Megami-Sama - 2nd Alpha patch released, Astarotte route finishing up
- Kaseki no Uta - 100% translated, 4770/15389 (31%) edited
- Ken ga Kimi - 58% translated
- Koukan no Toriko-Tachi - Prologue, common, and Cuckold Play route translated, Swinging Route 35%, Yukari POV 40%
- Kud Wafter - AA Version 23,835/31,579 (75.5%) Lines translated, 18+ Version 19,240 / 33,113 (58.1%) lines translated
- Kusarihime ~Euthanasia~ - Translation finished, fully edited
- Lover Able - 100% translated and edited, 9419/32258 lines approved (29.47%)
- Lucky Star ~Ryouou Gakuen Outousai~ - episode 1 patch released
- Maji de Watashi ni Koishinasai! A - Ryouken Route After - 1942/3,494 (55.58%) lines translated
- Maji de Watashi ni Koishinasai! A Plus Disk - Preparing files
- Manakashi no Yuri wa Akaku Somaru - 66% translated
- Miagete Goran, Yozora no Hoshi o - 1 of 4 routes translation finished for the restoration patch, Houkiboshi Hika 2 of 4 H-scenes translated
- Mujou no Erasmus - The Erasmus two-faced stories - Released
- Nursery Rhyme - 100% translated and edited, text insertion 100% complete, testing ongoing
- Pure Pure - 100% translated, needs proofreading, partial patch released, all routes have been inserted
- Sakura no Uta - Chapter I 30% translated
- Sakura No Toki - 9.42% translated, 8.55% edited
- Sakura Wars 2 - Demo patch released, ADV, Battle, and "Long Day in the Theater" mode fully translated, disc 1 text inserted
- Sen no Hatou, Tsukisome no Kouki - Both original and fan disc 100% translated, in need of editing
- Shirotsume Yubiwa - 100% translated, 50% beta patch released
- Shizuku - 120/197 script files translated, 20/197 edited
- Taima Seiko Alice - 40% translated, 35% edited, 35% proofread, 1st partial patch out
- Tenshi no Inai 12-gatsu - 100% translated, Editing ongoing
- To Heart - 720/993 scripts translated, 200/993 edited
- Tokimeki Memorial 2 - Being translated
- Tokimeki Memorial Girls Side 4 - 55% translated
- Tsui no Sora Remake - 100% translated and edited, finalization progressing
- Umi kara Kuru Mono - 91/138 scripts translated
- Ushinawareta Mirai o Motomete - 22325/35416 (63.0%) lines translated
- Yosuga no Sora - Translation finished, editing and TLC ongoing, Total: TL 100% TLC 71% ED 55%, Common/Kazuha/Motoka/Sora routes fully edited
Official work
MangaGamer
- The Pillagers of Raillore - Out of Beta
- Ciconia - Phase 1 Released
- Hadaka Shitsuji fandisc - Picked up
- Rance 03 - 79% translated, 41% edited
- Rance X - 94% translated, 5% edited
- Luckydog1 - 100% translated and edited
- Funbag Fantasy 4 - 84% translated, 80% edited
- Eve of the 12th Month - 100% translated and 88% edited
- DEAD DAYS - 100% translated and edited
- Beat Valkyrie Ixseal - 88% translated and 81% edited
- Welcome to a Sexy, Open World - 98% translated and 90% edited
JAST
- Sisters: Last Day of Summer - June 3rd release
- Sumaga- Slow progress ongoing
- Katahane - Progress being made again
- Django - Not actively making progress
- Tokyo Hero Project - Translation finished, dealing with bugs
- Machine Child - Still being developed
- Yomegami: My Sweet Goddess - 100% translated
- Yamizome Liberator - Picked up
- Mojika: Truth Rears Its Ugly Head - Picked up
- Djibril - 100% translated, in editing
- Masquerade: Hell Academy - Through 1st QA pass, in 2nd QA pass
Sekai/Denpa
- Happy Saint Sheol - 100% edited, 40% QA, Demo released
- Harumade Kururu - Waiting on build
- Rewrite+ Harvest Festa - 100% translated, 40% edited, Steam page up, 2024 release
- Subete no Koi ni, Hanabata o. - 50% translated
- Sumire - Picked up
- Sanarara R - 100% translated and edited, waiting on build
- Glass - Picked up
- New Glass - Picked up
- Karakara 3 - 100% translated and edited, 70% engine work
- Yume to Iro de Dekiteiru - 100% translated, 35% edited
- Zutto Mae Kara Joshi Deshita - 100% translated, in editing
- Chiisana Kanojo no Serenade - 75% translated, 35% edited
- Hoshizora e Kakaru Hashi 10% translated
- Hoshizora e Kakaru Hashi AA - Announced
- Akaneiro ni Somaru Saka - 50% translated
- Hamidashi Creative - Announced
- Inupara - In Development
- Nekopara After La Vraie Familie - In Development
- Raspberry Cube - Announced
- NEKO-NIN exHeart SPIN - 100% translated and edited, waiting on build
Nekonyan
- Angel Chaos RE-BOOT!- Delayed after Steam rejection
- Dracu Riot - Waiting on Build, Release date announcement on hold until after Angel Chaos
- Melty Moment - 80% translated
- Fureraba Complete edition - Vita exclusive content to be added to Fureraba a couple months after the fandisc release
- Floral Flowlove - 100% translated, 70% edited, enging port ongoing
- Kakenuke Seishun Sparking - 80% translated, 70% edited, QA started
- Love, Elections, & Chocolate - 100% translated and edited, Engine port nearly finished, entering QA shortly
- Love Love Love, Burning in my Heart! - 100% translated and 74% edited
- Ready or Not: The Deadline is Coming! - 100% translated, 99% edited, waiting on build
- Mysteries of the Heart: The Psychic Detective Case Files - 100% translated and edited, engine work in progress
- Secret Project 2 - 100% translated and edited, queued for Unity port
- Secret Project 3 - 100% translated and edited, 50% though QA
PQube
- SINce Memories: Off the Starry Sky - Announced
VisualArts
- Summer Pockets Reflection Blue - 2024 release
Dualtail
- Venus Blood Ragnarok - Kickstarter starting in May
Frontwing
- Lilja and Natsuka: Painting Lies - July 25th release
- Revue Starlight El Dorado - August 8th release
- Everlasting Flowers - August 29th release date
- Sharin no Kuni - Working to resolve remaining issues
Aksys
- Radiant Tale -Fanfare- - June 27th release
- Tales from Toyotoki: Arrival of the Witch - Summer release
- Virche Evermore -EpiC: Lycoris- - Fall release
- Despera Drops - 2025 release
Age titles
- Kiminozo - Aiming for a Summer 2024 release
Fakku
- Two Beasts Or Not To Beast!! - 2.0 version, editing in progress
- Forbidden Ward - In Pre-Production
Saikey Studios (mix of official/unofficial)
- Yaricir Kanojo ~Seiso de Yasashii Kanojo wa Yaricir no Hime Deshita~ - Released
- The Reason For Your Smile - Steam page up, Happy and NTR routes translated
- Toaru Hahaoya no Ayamachi ~Yukari Hen~ - 50% translated
HyoukanOpera
- Knight Case Files - Trial released, upcoming release
MAGES. GAME
- Corpse Party II - Darkness Distortion - 2024 release
Voltage Inc.
- Project Code Kaleido Tower - 2024 release
- Project Code Neon Mafia - 2024 release
- Project Code Vampire Hunter - 2025 release
B-cluster
- Re;quartz Raid - 2024 release
MediBang Inc.
- Cocktail Magic - Upcoming release
Kamitsubaki Studio
- KAMITSUBAKI CITY REGENERATE - Upcoming release
Dayu Zixun
- Voice Love on Air - Upcoming release
moesoft
- Devil Girl - Released
Shiravune
- AMANATSU ~Perfect Edition~ - May 17th release
- Destiny Star Girlfriend 2 - Q2 2024 release
- Real Hentai Situation! 2 - 2024 release
- NYO-NIN-JIMA -My New Life in Charge of a Tropical Island- - 2024 release
- Kara no Shoujo III - Announced
- Sacrifice Villains - Announced
Kagura Games
- Forsaken Quartet - May 18th release
- Yoru ga Kuru! -Square of the Moon- Remastered - 2024 release
- Angel Tear: Goddess Betrayed - Upcoming release
Aniplex
- Tsukihime -A piece of blue glass moon- - June 27th release
- Fate/stay night REMASTERED - 2024 release
- Hookah Haze - 2024 release
- Tanetsumi no Uta - 2024 release
Spike Chunsoft
- The Quintessential Quintuplets: Memories of a Quintessential Summer - Announced
- The Quintessential Quintuplets: Five Memories Spent With You - Announced
Love Lab
- Ever Maiden - 2024 release
DLsite
- Friendly lab - unlock(); - Upcoming release
- Club Suicide - Picked up
Idea Factory
- Cupid Parasite: Sweet and Spicy Darling - May 28th release
- 9 R.I.P. - Fall 2024 release
- Date A Live: Ren Dystopia - 2024 release
CRAFTWORK
- Geminism - English version announced
Harukaze
- Monkeys! - English release planned
Moonchime
- Haunted Obachestra Vol.1 Awaking - Upcoming release
Alice In Dissonance
- Fault Milestone 2 - Side Below - Upcoming release
G-mode
- Shinjuku Soumei - Demo Released, May 24th release
MiKandi Japan
- Libra of the Vampire Princess - All versions of the patches in testing
PRODUCTION PENCIL
- Paradise Cleaning! -Tutor X Hypnosis- - Upcoming release
072 Project
- Princess Paradise - 2024 release
F&C
- NTR with hypnosis application - Upcoming release
Eroge Japan
- Trap Yuri Garden - 2024 release
Tensei Games
- Unfaithful Wife: Ayano's "Netorare Report" - My gentle wife is fucking another man - - Q2 2024 release
GRAVITY GAME ARISE
- Tokyo Psychodemic - Demo released, May 30th release
Dark Nyaa
- Master & Succubi Hentai Lessons 2 - April release
MintLip
- Him, the Smile & Bloom - August 8th release
Cherry Kiss
- Cosplay Cumdump: Doing it Doujin Style - May 23rd release
2024.05.13 06:31 greg0525 Make a Difference
The desire to add something valuable to life is a deeply human aspiration. We all want to make a positive impact on the world and leave behind a legacy that will be remembered long after we're gone. It's a natural and noble desire, and it's something that can give our lives meaning and purpose.
But there's also a flip side to this desire. When we feel that we haven't lived up to our potential or that we haven't made a significant contribution to the world, it can be a source of deep desperation and regret. This is especially true when we near the end of our lives and realize that time is running out.
Chris Johnson was exactly in the same situation and he was desperate to do something about it.
***
The man was sitting in the doctor's office, feeling a sense of dread wash over him. He had been experiencing unexplainable fatigue and pain for weeks, and he finally decided to see a doctor. However, the news he received was not what he expected.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Johnson," the doctor said, his voice somber. "We found that you have cancer, and it's in its late stages. Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do."
Chris felt his heart drop to his stomach. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. He was only in his early forties, and the thought of his life being cut short was too much to bear.
"How long do I have?" he asked, his voice trembling.
The doctor hesitated before answering. "I'm sorry to say this, but you only have about six months."
Chris felt like the room was spinning. He couldn't believe that he had only six months left to live.
He stood up, feeling a sense of numbness wash over him, and left the doctor's office without saying another word.
As he walked outside, the world seemed to be moving in slow motion. He couldn't help but think about everything he still wanted to do with his life. He had dreams of traveling the world, starting a family, and making a difference in the world. But now, all of that seemed impossible.
He got into his car and drove home, feeling lost and alone. When he finally arrived, he sat on the couch, trying to make sense of what had just happened.
"I have cancer," he whispered to himself, tears streaming down his face. "I have cancer."
Chris had always been ambitious and hardworking. He had started his own business when he was only twenty-five, and over the years, he had worked tirelessly to make it successful. He had amassed a great deal of wealth, but despite all of his accomplishments, he still felt like something was missing.
He just couldn't shake off the feeling that he hadn't contributed anything of real value to the world. He had spent his life chasing success and wealth, but he didn't feel like he had made a meaningful impact on anyone's life.
As he was sitting in his luxurious home, surrounded by all the trappings of wealth and success, he felt an overwhelming sense of emptiness. He realized that all of his material possessions couldn't fill the void that he felt in his heart.
"I have everything," he said to himself, looking around the room. "But what have I really accomplished? What have I done that is truly valuable?"
He knew that he had to do something to change the way he felt. He had to find a way to make a real difference in the world, to contribute something of value that would outlast him.
The following day, a heavy burden weighed on Chris's heart. He knew he had only six months left to live, and he was desperate to make the most of the time he had left. He decided to go for a walk in the nearby park to clear his head and to seek solace in the beauty of nature. The morning sun cast warm, golden rays on the city, and the scent of fresh dew on the grass greeted him as he stepped out of his home.
As Chris walked, he took in the vivid details of the world around him. The vibrant petals of the flowers danced gently in the breeze, and the leaves of the towering oak trees rustled softly above. He listened to the melodic chirping of the birds and the distant laughter of children playing in the park. Every sensation seemed more intense, as if he was experiencing them for the first time.
Lost in his thoughts, Chris approached the edge of the park. He hesitated for a moment, savoring the anticipation of stepping into the serene haven that awaited him. Suddenly, a powerful engine roared in the distance, and a car came careening around the bend at an alarming speed.
The world seemed to move in slow motion as the car hurtled towards Chris. The horrified expressions of the pedestrians etched into his mind as they shouted in warning. In an instant, the car slammed into him, throwing him onto the unforgiving pavement with a sickening thud.
Gasps of shock and fear filled the air as the pedestrians rushed to Chris's side. The driver, with wide eyes and trembling hands, stumbled out of the car, mumbling apologies and pleading for forgiveness. But for Chris, everything faded to black as the pain enveloped him, and he slipped into unconsciousness.
When he opened his eyes, he could feel pain but it was mild. He slowly stood up, and carefully examined himself, expecting to find injuries, but to his surprise, his body was unscathed. A wave of relief washed over him as he realized he had somehow escaped the terrible accident.
The driver, unable to make sense of the situation, stammered out an apology.
"Oh, my God! Are you okay? I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there!" the driver exclaimed, his voice trembling with fear and guilt.
Chris, still in disbelief, replied, "I... I think I'm fine. I don't know how, but I'm not hurt."
The driver, relieved but still puzzled, agreed. "I'm just glad you're alright." With that, the driver returned to his car, and the crowd dispersed, still murmuring about the event they had just witnessed.
As Chris resumed his walk, something was odd. The street around him somehow had changed.
The city was full of colour and energy. Bright posters and graffiti decorated the walls, while gleaming convertibles cruised down the roads. Bicyclists zipped through traffic, while pedestrians were walking around with enthusiasm and purpose.
The streets were lined with colorful, graffiti-covered walls, brick buildings, and bustling shops. There was a variety of vehicles ranging from old classic cars to the newest models. Strains of all genres of music echoed in the air from passing cars and speakers mounted on corners.
The streets were alive with people of all ages, sizes, and backgrounds. The men and women were wearing brightly-colored clothes and hairstyles. On the sidewalks, old-fashioned metal boomboxes played a variety of music from rap to disco. The buildings were a mix of classic brick and modern glass, with neon signs highlighting the night sky.
Strains of laughter and conversations could be heard from storefronts, while street vendors peddled their wares in an enthusiastic chorus. The quiet hum of traffic blended with the sounds of sirens and honking horns. Faint music permeated the atmosphere, reverberating off the walls and buildings in a steady rhythm.
It wasn’t his city. He was somewhere else.
As he looked around, he noticed a quaint newsstand nestled between two towering oak trees. The scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, drawing him closer. An old-fashioned bell chimed as he approached, announcing his presence to the vendor.
The newspaper displayed on the counter caught his eye, and Chris felt a shiver run down his spine. The date on the paper read May 25, 1983. He picked up the paper and scanned the headlines, finding that they all aligned with events from that era.
PRESIDENT REAGAN PROPOSES 'STAR WARS' MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM
BREAKTHROUGH IN TECHNOLOGY: THE FIRST MOBILE PHONE CALL MADE
LEBANON'S CIVIL WAR CONTINUES TO ESCALATE"
RECORD UNEMPLOYMENT RATE: US ECONOMY FACES STAGNATION"
SALLY RIDE PREPARES FOR HISTORIC SPACE FLIGHT AS FIRST AMERICAN WOMAN ASTRONAUT"
ATARI UNLEASHES 'STAR WARS' ARCADE GAME, BECOMES INSTANT HIT"
FLASHDANCE FEVER: THE BOX OFFICE HIT TAKES AMERICA BY STORM"
Confused and alarmed, Chris wondered if he had somehow traveled back in time.
The vendor, a gruff middle-aged man with a bushy mustache, eyed Chris with suspicion. "You gonna buy that paper or just stand there gawking at it?" he asked, his voice dripping with impatience.
Chris hesitated, still trying to process the situation. "Uh, sure," he replied, reaching into his pocket to pull out the appropriate amount of money. He handed the bills to the vendor, who immediately scoffed.
"What kind of joke is this?" the vendor barked, holding up the money with disdain. "This ain't real money! The date says 2020! You trying to scam me, kid?"
Chris stammered his confusion mounting. "No, I promise, I don't know what's going on. This is the money I have."
The vendor glared at him, clearly not convinced. "Well, you can't buy anything with this whatever fake shit you gave me. Now, either pay up with the real stuff or get out of here!"
Feeling defeated and disoriented, Chris decided it was best to leave the newsstand. "Sorry for the confusion," he mumbled, placing the newspaper back on the counter and walking away.
As Chris wandered the streets, now he was more confident that he had been transported back in time. The people around him wore clothing styles from the 1980s, and the cars that drove past were all models from that era. He felt as if he had stepped into a different world, one that was simultaneously familiar and alien.
Desperate for answers, Chris approached a passerby, a friendly-looking woman in her 30s. "Excuse me, ma'am," he said, trying to sound as calm as possible. "I know this might sound strange, but could you tell me today's date?"
The woman looked at him quizzically but answered with a warm smile. "Of course, dear. It's May 25, 1983. Is everything alright?"
Chris felt his heart sink, realizing that he had indeed traveled back in time. "Yes, thank you," he replied, his voice shaky. "I'm just a bit disoriented, that's all."
As Chris continued his journey through the past, he couldn't help but wonder how and why he had been transported to this time. He was determined to uncover the truth and find a way back to his own time, all while grappling with the reality that he had been given an extraordinary opportunity to experience a different era firsthand.
"Are you looking for something, Mister?" a curious child asked, sitting on his bicycle with wide, inquisitive eyes.
Chris, still lost in his thoughts about the miraculous incident, turned to the child and offered him a gentle smile. "Well, not exactly," Chris replied, still trying to process the events that had just unfolded. "I just experienced something incredible, and I'm trying to make sense of it all."
The child's curiosity grew, and he propped his bicycle against a nearby tree before sitting down beside Chris on the park bench. "What happened?" he asked, his eyes filled with wonder.
Chris hesitated for a moment before deciding to share his story. "I was walking to the park when a car came speeding towards me. It hit me, but somehow, I wasn't hurt at all. I don't understand how, but it feels like a miracle."
The child's eyes widened with amazement. "Wow, that sounds incredible! Maybe you have a guardian angel watching over you, or maybe you're just really lucky!"
Chris chuckled at the child's enthusiasm. "Maybe so. Either way, it's made me realize how important it is to cherish every moment of our lives. You know kid, life is a gift, and we should make the most of it."
The boy smiled, touched by the Chris’s wisdom. "You are right. When I grew up, I want to be a lawyer and protect the innocent. I think that will be a good way to make the most out of my time."
The child stood up and retrieved his bicycle. "I'm going to remember what you have said Mister, and try to live my life to the fullest too! I am Alex by the way," he said and with a determined expression and a wave, the young boy pedaled away, leaving Chris with a newfound sense of gratitude.
As Chris treaded further into the park, a sense of serenity engulfed him. He had no clue how he arrived at this place, yet it didn't faze him. All that mattered was that peaceful energy surrounding him. He plopped down on a nearby bench. Across from him, four boys were playing football near a wide lawn, throwing short passes under the watchful eyes of their parents and siblings who cheered them on. The grass rippled like a lush carpet being blown by a summer breeze, running from one goal to another. Overhead, clouds drifted through an endless blue sky as birds flapped their wings above them. Chris leaned back and soaked in all the sights around him.
But as he was sitting there quietly, his face was suddenly met with an airborne ball that connected with his skull. Then, everything faded to black.
Chris' eyes blinked open to find himself lying in a hospital bed. He glanced around the room, taking in the medical equipment surrounding him. He was in bad shape, and he wondered how he had got there. He wished he could go back to where he had been before waking up, then remembered his accident and realized travelling back in time must have been just a hallucination.
As Chris woke up, he tried to sit up, but the pain was excruciating. Then, as he attempted to move his legs, he realized with horror that he couldn't feel them. Panic set in as he tried to move them again, but nothing happened. Just then, the door opened with a loud creak, and a doctor walked in.
"Ah, Mr. Johnson, I'm glad to see you're awake," the doctor said, glancing at Chris's chart.
"You were in a car accident and suffered a spinal injury, but we were able to perform surgery and stabilize your spine. The bad news is however…"
“That I can't move my legs," Chris finished the sentence, his voice shaky with fear.
“This is what I was afraid of,” the doctor said as he touched Chris's legs.
"Can you feel it?" Chris tried to move them again, but there was nothing.
"No, nothing. Is it permanent?" he asked, his heart racing with dread.
"I am sorry to tell you, but the nerve damage is so serious that I'm not sure you will ever be able to move your legs again," the doctor replied gravely.
Chris's heart sank as he heard the news. He couldn't believe this was happening to him. "What am I going to do now?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I have cancer, and I only have six months to live. How am I supposed to contribute to the world without working legs?"
The doctor looked at him with sympathy.
"I understand and I have seen your medical history. I am really sorry that you are in this situation, but it's important that you follow our instructions and allow your body to heal. Even moving around too much in bed could cause further injury or delay your recovery."
Chris felt frustrated and helpless.
"If I were healthy, I would probably kill the driver," he said, his voice full of anger.
The doctor patted him on the shoulder. "I understand that. We'll help you as much as we can, Mr. Johnson. For now, you will need to stay in bed for a while longer to allow your body to heal. Moving forward, we will make sure you have everything you need to be comfortable, including a wheelchair if necessary." Chris sighed, realizing that he had no choice but to listen to the doctor's advice.
“Oh and there is a man here who would like to talk to you,” the doctor said and left the room leaving Chris there in bed with his thoughts and his uncertain future.
A man wearing a sharp suit walked through the door. His sharp suit was pressed. The fancy clothes and haughty stare almost made Chris laugh—this guy didn't look like the kind of person who could help him out. He must have been some politician.
The man introduced himself as Alex Davis.
"I heard about your accident and I wanted to offer my legal services," Alex said, sitting down in a chair next to Chris's bed.
Chris was surprised but intrigued. "Legal services? What do you mean?"
"If you choose to sue, you could potentially receive financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The driver was under the influence of drugs. As for his ability to pay, there are legal options we can explore to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve."
"But as you see, I only have limited time here. There’s no point in suing the driver. With a wheelchair or without it, my life ends soon. Even with your kindness, we can hardly make my life any better.”
“Mr Johnson, I understand that but I became a lawyer because I want to make a positive impact on people’s lives. Someone once told me how important it to cherish every moment of our lives. Life is a gift and we should make the most out of it. Don’t just let it go. Not yet.”
Chris was taken aback when he realized that the words coming out of the boy's mouth were the same as he had said earlier.
“It wasn’t a dream,” he murmured.
“I’m sorry?”
“Nothing, boy. I am all right. It seems I have done something valuable.”
All he could say was this and he could now die in peace.
More
submitted by greg0525 to libraryofshadows [link] [comments]
But there's also a flip side to this desire. When we feel that we haven't lived up to our potential or that we haven't made a significant contribution to the world, it can be a source of deep desperation and regret. This is especially true when we near the end of our lives and realize that time is running out.
Chris Johnson was exactly in the same situation and he was desperate to do something about it.
***
The man was sitting in the doctor's office, feeling a sense of dread wash over him. He had been experiencing unexplainable fatigue and pain for weeks, and he finally decided to see a doctor. However, the news he received was not what he expected.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Johnson," the doctor said, his voice somber. "We found that you have cancer, and it's in its late stages. Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do."
Chris felt his heart drop to his stomach. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. He was only in his early forties, and the thought of his life being cut short was too much to bear.
"How long do I have?" he asked, his voice trembling.
The doctor hesitated before answering. "I'm sorry to say this, but you only have about six months."
Chris felt like the room was spinning. He couldn't believe that he had only six months left to live.
He stood up, feeling a sense of numbness wash over him, and left the doctor's office without saying another word.
As he walked outside, the world seemed to be moving in slow motion. He couldn't help but think about everything he still wanted to do with his life. He had dreams of traveling the world, starting a family, and making a difference in the world. But now, all of that seemed impossible.
He got into his car and drove home, feeling lost and alone. When he finally arrived, he sat on the couch, trying to make sense of what had just happened.
"I have cancer," he whispered to himself, tears streaming down his face. "I have cancer."
Chris had always been ambitious and hardworking. He had started his own business when he was only twenty-five, and over the years, he had worked tirelessly to make it successful. He had amassed a great deal of wealth, but despite all of his accomplishments, he still felt like something was missing.
He just couldn't shake off the feeling that he hadn't contributed anything of real value to the world. He had spent his life chasing success and wealth, but he didn't feel like he had made a meaningful impact on anyone's life.
As he was sitting in his luxurious home, surrounded by all the trappings of wealth and success, he felt an overwhelming sense of emptiness. He realized that all of his material possessions couldn't fill the void that he felt in his heart.
"I have everything," he said to himself, looking around the room. "But what have I really accomplished? What have I done that is truly valuable?"
He knew that he had to do something to change the way he felt. He had to find a way to make a real difference in the world, to contribute something of value that would outlast him.
The following day, a heavy burden weighed on Chris's heart. He knew he had only six months left to live, and he was desperate to make the most of the time he had left. He decided to go for a walk in the nearby park to clear his head and to seek solace in the beauty of nature. The morning sun cast warm, golden rays on the city, and the scent of fresh dew on the grass greeted him as he stepped out of his home.
As Chris walked, he took in the vivid details of the world around him. The vibrant petals of the flowers danced gently in the breeze, and the leaves of the towering oak trees rustled softly above. He listened to the melodic chirping of the birds and the distant laughter of children playing in the park. Every sensation seemed more intense, as if he was experiencing them for the first time.
Lost in his thoughts, Chris approached the edge of the park. He hesitated for a moment, savoring the anticipation of stepping into the serene haven that awaited him. Suddenly, a powerful engine roared in the distance, and a car came careening around the bend at an alarming speed.
The world seemed to move in slow motion as the car hurtled towards Chris. The horrified expressions of the pedestrians etched into his mind as they shouted in warning. In an instant, the car slammed into him, throwing him onto the unforgiving pavement with a sickening thud.
Gasps of shock and fear filled the air as the pedestrians rushed to Chris's side. The driver, with wide eyes and trembling hands, stumbled out of the car, mumbling apologies and pleading for forgiveness. But for Chris, everything faded to black as the pain enveloped him, and he slipped into unconsciousness.
When he opened his eyes, he could feel pain but it was mild. He slowly stood up, and carefully examined himself, expecting to find injuries, but to his surprise, his body was unscathed. A wave of relief washed over him as he realized he had somehow escaped the terrible accident.
The driver, unable to make sense of the situation, stammered out an apology.
"Oh, my God! Are you okay? I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there!" the driver exclaimed, his voice trembling with fear and guilt.
Chris, still in disbelief, replied, "I... I think I'm fine. I don't know how, but I'm not hurt."
The driver, relieved but still puzzled, agreed. "I'm just glad you're alright." With that, the driver returned to his car, and the crowd dispersed, still murmuring about the event they had just witnessed.
As Chris resumed his walk, something was odd. The street around him somehow had changed.
The city was full of colour and energy. Bright posters and graffiti decorated the walls, while gleaming convertibles cruised down the roads. Bicyclists zipped through traffic, while pedestrians were walking around with enthusiasm and purpose.
The streets were lined with colorful, graffiti-covered walls, brick buildings, and bustling shops. There was a variety of vehicles ranging from old classic cars to the newest models. Strains of all genres of music echoed in the air from passing cars and speakers mounted on corners.
The streets were alive with people of all ages, sizes, and backgrounds. The men and women were wearing brightly-colored clothes and hairstyles. On the sidewalks, old-fashioned metal boomboxes played a variety of music from rap to disco. The buildings were a mix of classic brick and modern glass, with neon signs highlighting the night sky.
Strains of laughter and conversations could be heard from storefronts, while street vendors peddled their wares in an enthusiastic chorus. The quiet hum of traffic blended with the sounds of sirens and honking horns. Faint music permeated the atmosphere, reverberating off the walls and buildings in a steady rhythm.
It wasn’t his city. He was somewhere else.
As he looked around, he noticed a quaint newsstand nestled between two towering oak trees. The scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, drawing him closer. An old-fashioned bell chimed as he approached, announcing his presence to the vendor.
The newspaper displayed on the counter caught his eye, and Chris felt a shiver run down his spine. The date on the paper read May 25, 1983. He picked up the paper and scanned the headlines, finding that they all aligned with events from that era.
PRESIDENT REAGAN PROPOSES 'STAR WARS' MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM
BREAKTHROUGH IN TECHNOLOGY: THE FIRST MOBILE PHONE CALL MADE
LEBANON'S CIVIL WAR CONTINUES TO ESCALATE"
RECORD UNEMPLOYMENT RATE: US ECONOMY FACES STAGNATION"
SALLY RIDE PREPARES FOR HISTORIC SPACE FLIGHT AS FIRST AMERICAN WOMAN ASTRONAUT"
ATARI UNLEASHES 'STAR WARS' ARCADE GAME, BECOMES INSTANT HIT"
FLASHDANCE FEVER: THE BOX OFFICE HIT TAKES AMERICA BY STORM"
Confused and alarmed, Chris wondered if he had somehow traveled back in time.
The vendor, a gruff middle-aged man with a bushy mustache, eyed Chris with suspicion. "You gonna buy that paper or just stand there gawking at it?" he asked, his voice dripping with impatience.
Chris hesitated, still trying to process the situation. "Uh, sure," he replied, reaching into his pocket to pull out the appropriate amount of money. He handed the bills to the vendor, who immediately scoffed.
"What kind of joke is this?" the vendor barked, holding up the money with disdain. "This ain't real money! The date says 2020! You trying to scam me, kid?"
Chris stammered his confusion mounting. "No, I promise, I don't know what's going on. This is the money I have."
The vendor glared at him, clearly not convinced. "Well, you can't buy anything with this whatever fake shit you gave me. Now, either pay up with the real stuff or get out of here!"
Feeling defeated and disoriented, Chris decided it was best to leave the newsstand. "Sorry for the confusion," he mumbled, placing the newspaper back on the counter and walking away.
As Chris wandered the streets, now he was more confident that he had been transported back in time. The people around him wore clothing styles from the 1980s, and the cars that drove past were all models from that era. He felt as if he had stepped into a different world, one that was simultaneously familiar and alien.
Desperate for answers, Chris approached a passerby, a friendly-looking woman in her 30s. "Excuse me, ma'am," he said, trying to sound as calm as possible. "I know this might sound strange, but could you tell me today's date?"
The woman looked at him quizzically but answered with a warm smile. "Of course, dear. It's May 25, 1983. Is everything alright?"
Chris felt his heart sink, realizing that he had indeed traveled back in time. "Yes, thank you," he replied, his voice shaky. "I'm just a bit disoriented, that's all."
As Chris continued his journey through the past, he couldn't help but wonder how and why he had been transported to this time. He was determined to uncover the truth and find a way back to his own time, all while grappling with the reality that he had been given an extraordinary opportunity to experience a different era firsthand.
"Are you looking for something, Mister?" a curious child asked, sitting on his bicycle with wide, inquisitive eyes.
Chris, still lost in his thoughts about the miraculous incident, turned to the child and offered him a gentle smile. "Well, not exactly," Chris replied, still trying to process the events that had just unfolded. "I just experienced something incredible, and I'm trying to make sense of it all."
The child's curiosity grew, and he propped his bicycle against a nearby tree before sitting down beside Chris on the park bench. "What happened?" he asked, his eyes filled with wonder.
Chris hesitated for a moment before deciding to share his story. "I was walking to the park when a car came speeding towards me. It hit me, but somehow, I wasn't hurt at all. I don't understand how, but it feels like a miracle."
The child's eyes widened with amazement. "Wow, that sounds incredible! Maybe you have a guardian angel watching over you, or maybe you're just really lucky!"
Chris chuckled at the child's enthusiasm. "Maybe so. Either way, it's made me realize how important it is to cherish every moment of our lives. You know kid, life is a gift, and we should make the most of it."
The boy smiled, touched by the Chris’s wisdom. "You are right. When I grew up, I want to be a lawyer and protect the innocent. I think that will be a good way to make the most out of my time."
The child stood up and retrieved his bicycle. "I'm going to remember what you have said Mister, and try to live my life to the fullest too! I am Alex by the way," he said and with a determined expression and a wave, the young boy pedaled away, leaving Chris with a newfound sense of gratitude.
As Chris treaded further into the park, a sense of serenity engulfed him. He had no clue how he arrived at this place, yet it didn't faze him. All that mattered was that peaceful energy surrounding him. He plopped down on a nearby bench. Across from him, four boys were playing football near a wide lawn, throwing short passes under the watchful eyes of their parents and siblings who cheered them on. The grass rippled like a lush carpet being blown by a summer breeze, running from one goal to another. Overhead, clouds drifted through an endless blue sky as birds flapped their wings above them. Chris leaned back and soaked in all the sights around him.
But as he was sitting there quietly, his face was suddenly met with an airborne ball that connected with his skull. Then, everything faded to black.
Chris' eyes blinked open to find himself lying in a hospital bed. He glanced around the room, taking in the medical equipment surrounding him. He was in bad shape, and he wondered how he had got there. He wished he could go back to where he had been before waking up, then remembered his accident and realized travelling back in time must have been just a hallucination.
As Chris woke up, he tried to sit up, but the pain was excruciating. Then, as he attempted to move his legs, he realized with horror that he couldn't feel them. Panic set in as he tried to move them again, but nothing happened. Just then, the door opened with a loud creak, and a doctor walked in.
"Ah, Mr. Johnson, I'm glad to see you're awake," the doctor said, glancing at Chris's chart.
"You were in a car accident and suffered a spinal injury, but we were able to perform surgery and stabilize your spine. The bad news is however…"
“That I can't move my legs," Chris finished the sentence, his voice shaky with fear.
“This is what I was afraid of,” the doctor said as he touched Chris's legs.
"Can you feel it?" Chris tried to move them again, but there was nothing.
"No, nothing. Is it permanent?" he asked, his heart racing with dread.
"I am sorry to tell you, but the nerve damage is so serious that I'm not sure you will ever be able to move your legs again," the doctor replied gravely.
Chris's heart sank as he heard the news. He couldn't believe this was happening to him. "What am I going to do now?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I have cancer, and I only have six months to live. How am I supposed to contribute to the world without working legs?"
The doctor looked at him with sympathy.
"I understand and I have seen your medical history. I am really sorry that you are in this situation, but it's important that you follow our instructions and allow your body to heal. Even moving around too much in bed could cause further injury or delay your recovery."
Chris felt frustrated and helpless.
"If I were healthy, I would probably kill the driver," he said, his voice full of anger.
The doctor patted him on the shoulder. "I understand that. We'll help you as much as we can, Mr. Johnson. For now, you will need to stay in bed for a while longer to allow your body to heal. Moving forward, we will make sure you have everything you need to be comfortable, including a wheelchair if necessary." Chris sighed, realizing that he had no choice but to listen to the doctor's advice.
“Oh and there is a man here who would like to talk to you,” the doctor said and left the room leaving Chris there in bed with his thoughts and his uncertain future.
A man wearing a sharp suit walked through the door. His sharp suit was pressed. The fancy clothes and haughty stare almost made Chris laugh—this guy didn't look like the kind of person who could help him out. He must have been some politician.
The man introduced himself as Alex Davis.
"I heard about your accident and I wanted to offer my legal services," Alex said, sitting down in a chair next to Chris's bed.
Chris was surprised but intrigued. "Legal services? What do you mean?"
"If you choose to sue, you could potentially receive financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The driver was under the influence of drugs. As for his ability to pay, there are legal options we can explore to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve."
"But as you see, I only have limited time here. There’s no point in suing the driver. With a wheelchair or without it, my life ends soon. Even with your kindness, we can hardly make my life any better.”
“Mr Johnson, I understand that but I became a lawyer because I want to make a positive impact on people’s lives. Someone once told me how important it to cherish every moment of our lives. Life is a gift and we should make the most out of it. Don’t just let it go. Not yet.”
Chris was taken aback when he realized that the words coming out of the boy's mouth were the same as he had said earlier.
“It wasn’t a dream,” he murmured.
“I’m sorry?”
“Nothing, boy. I am all right. It seems I have done something valuable.”
All he could say was this and he could now die in peace.
More
2024.05.13 06:01 AutoModerator [Weekly Megathread] FREQUENT Feedback / Requests / Suggestions
UPDATE: reordered the list a bit for better overview. Fixed issues will now appear at the bottom of a specific list for better readability.
========================================
We are a Fan subreddit, and not run by Blizzard, but the devs and CM's are frequently reading feedback from all sources, including reddit.
Many people come here to give feedback, which is welcome, but since some of the feedback is given very frequently, we compile this frequently given/posted feedback / requests / suggestions from players on specific issues in this weekly updated and reoccurring thread here to not bloat up the subreddit and people feed with it.
We will redirect most new threads about issues / feedback that are about below listed topics, to this weekly thread, to keep the subreddit better readable, while also keeping these issues highlighted as things the community is concerned about.
The list of these issues / topics is posted below and will be adjusted (when necessary) every week.
========================================
Things that have been fixed or otherwise solves or addressed will be crossed outlike this.
This also proved a good overview of which issues have already been adderesed / fixed / etc.
--- List of Feedback / Requests / Complaints that are frequently posted on the subreddit ---
UI
Stash
Items
Legendary Aspects
Artisans and Crafting
Balance (Combat)
Mount
Leveling / Campaign / Dungeons / Endgame / Uberbosses
Season Specific
Technical & Bugs
Other Quality of Life
Other
Recent additions to the list
Tell us in the comments and discuss with other about which topics you think should be on this list to be highlighted, and why!
That helps us to update the list for next week.
submitted by AutoModerator to diablo4 [link] [comments]
========================================
We are a Fan subreddit, and not run by Blizzard, but the devs and CM's are frequently reading feedback from all sources, including reddit.
Many people come here to give feedback, which is welcome, but since some of the feedback is given very frequently, we compile this frequently given/posted feedback / requests / suggestions from players on specific issues in this weekly updated and reoccurring thread here to not bloat up the subreddit and people feed with it.
We will redirect most new threads about issues / feedback that are about below listed topics, to this weekly thread, to keep the subreddit better readable, while also keeping these issues highlighted as things the community is concerned about.
The list of these issues / topics is posted below and will be adjusted (when necessary) every week.
========================================
Things that have been fixed or otherwise solves or addressed will be crossed out
This also proved a good overview of which issues have already been adderesed / fixed / etc.
--- List of Feedback / Requests / Complaints that are frequently posted on the subreddit ---
UI
- fix Typos in Item Tooltips and Text Boxes
- more than 100% completion in the Codex (or similar things) being displayed
- Requirements not met on Paragon Nodes
- Pathfinding Issues on the Map
- an Overlay Map (similar to Diablo 2)
- improved Chat / more QoL Features for Chat [solution suggested by a redditor]
- option to hide UI
- additional infos displayed on Clan Members and Friends
- an UI Indicator for when Resource XYZ is above ## (based on certain effects, e.g. from Passives or Aspects)
- INDIRECTLY ADRESSED (Season 4 Patch): additional Visual Indicators for Uniques and Legendaries aside from the Color (e.g. a Star on the Item Image for Uniques) - Lategame Items with Greater Affixes now have Roman Numerals behind them as a Visual Indicator
- INDIRECTLY ADRESSED (Season 4 Patch): Lootfilter and/or Salvage Filter - Rare Items now only drop with up to 2 Affixes, while Legendaries drop with 3 Affixes + Items with Greater Affixes on them have Roman Numerals behind them)
Add search to titles / Aspects / etc(added in Season 4 Patch to the New Codex System)a regular, consistent Order in which the Affixes on Item Tooltips are appearing / being displayedoption to mark Items for 'Keep' instead of marking them as 'Junk'separate Gem Tab(instead of gems, Gem Shard will drop now, which are a Crafitng Material from which you can craft gems. These Gem Shards will be stored in the Crafting Materials Tab) [alternative solution suggested by a redditor]fix the issue of flickering item tooltips when comparing items
Stash
- A few Private Stash Tabs for each Character (in addition to the Shared Stash Tabs)
Move all Aspects into the Codex to free up space in the Inventory and the Stash(Season 4 Patch)Search Function in the StashAdditional 'Sort Functions' in the Stash and Inventory,e.g.: HighestLowest Item Level, WhiteMagicRareLegendary... within the same Weapon/Armor Piece, etcSort Function should group same Aspects together
Items
- additional Affixes for the 'Razorplate' Unique Chest Armor (people often think its bugged)
- an improved Icon for Affixes that were re-rolled / enchanted, so that it better stands out
- partially / indirectly addressed: Gems are not worth picking up anymore at a certain point EDIT:
partially/indirectly addressed- has been somewhat addressed but not fixed by Gem Fragments now being picked up automatically) Gems not being interesting enough(Season 4 Patch with the Large Itemization Overhaul made the Bonuses on Gems less conditional, replaced a few Bonuses with others, and added Main Stat)Ancient Rare Items should not roll with only 3 Affixes(addressed in Season 4 Patch with the Itemization Overhaul, Rare Items)certain Affixes should not spawn as Normal Affixes on Items, but instead only on Passive Skills, Magic & Rare Paragon Nodes, or as a 5'th or 6'th Bonus Affixes on Uniques (addressed in Season 4 Patch with the Itemization Overhaul)too many different forms of '#% Damage Increased Affixes' on Items /// less of these Affixes overall /// move many of these Affixes to Paragon / Passives / Uniques /// only up to # of these should roll on a single item[Large Discussion about this on the subreddit] (addressed in Season 4 Patch with the Itemization Overhaul)Below-Sacred Items should no longer in WT3 once a certain Character Level has been reached + Below-Sacred Items should not drop in WT4 at allThe amount of Sacred Items in WT4, should reduce the higher your Character Level gets.(increased) Minimum Item Power on higher Character Levelshigher drop chance for Uber Uniques(one of the reasons people give is that these items are often not just powerful, but also build defining, and hence should be obtainable in a season + "real Grail Items" should be "less mandatory")
Legendary Aspects
- relocating some Legendary Aspects to the Skill Tree (as Passive Skills or Skill-specific Upgrades) and/or the Paragon Board (as Magic, Rare and/or Legendary Passives)
Legendary Codex Aspects should be able to be upgraded over time (b/c it feels bad to hold on to good ones long periods of time)(Season 4 Patch)other Legendary Powers (that currently are not obtainable via Dungeons) should appear in the Codex once salvaged.(Season 4 Patch)some/many of the mid- and late game Legendary Aspects should appear in the Codex, once the Item / Aspects has been salvaged / found / extracted(Season 4 Patch)Resource Aspects (like the Aspect of Concentration, etc.) should occur more frequently(addressed in Season 4 Patch, since they are now stored forever in the Codex)certain Aspects should occur more frequently in general(addressed in Season 4 Patch, since they are now stored forever in the Codex)Sort Function in Stash should group same Aspects together
Artisans and Crafting
- Duplicate Affixes should not appear when Enchanting /// or +1 additional Roll when Enchanting.
- Increased Movement Speed in town (to more quickly maneuver between artisans)
-
- Salvaging "Glacial Fissure" Sigil should show a warning and could refund some materials
- "Salvage Filter", aka an option at the Blacksmith to salvage items that do not met individually assigned conditions (like 'Salvage all Items below Item Power ###' - where ### stands for a number the players can select themselves, and other conditions)
- some people want to keep the Gatehall from Season 3 (Season of the Construct) as a new (optional) HUB (a community discussion on that can be found here )
Artisans, Vendors, Stash, Wardrobe, Townportal, Waypoint,Purveyors of Curiosities,etc should be closer together in towns (suggestion / illustration by a redditor) (Purveyors of Curiosities have been moved closer to other vendors and more Stashes have been added in each town) (plus, in the Season 4 Patch, all Artisans are now closer to the Waypoint / Town Portal)...Hair Color / Style should be able to be changed in the WardrobeEnchanting Costs too high / Cap Enchanting Cost / slower ramp-up of re-crafting costs(Season 4 Patch improved this)list Elixiers in their own group (e.g. compile Weak Iron Bark, Strong Iron Bark, Heavy Iron Bark Elixir, etc into their own Drop Down Menu)a 'Sell All Button' / 'Sell All below-Sacred Items' / 'Sell All non-Ancestral Items Button'(with the upcoming changes this issue will no longer be relevant)option to mark Items for 'Keep' instead of marking them as 'Junk'option to 'Salvage all below-Sacred Items' + an option to 'Salvage all non-Ancestral Items'(with the upcoming changes this issue will no longer be relevant)
Balance (Combat)
- Skeletal Ballistas targeting Players from Off-Screen / dealing too much damage
- "fix" One-Shot-Mechanics
- Increased Base Movement Speed (at higher Character Levels / at Level 100 / +#% all ## Level)
- 2 Evade Charges from Level 1 (or at higher levels / or 2 from the start and +1 all ## Level)
rework the Suppressor Elite Affix(is reworked: now no longer is active permanently on an Elites and also drops when the Elite is Hard CC'ed)Limit / reduce CC in higher dungeon difficulties(lets see how this will turn out)
Mount
- additional Charges for the Mount (at higher Character Levels, as rewards, etc)
- let us use Mount Charges in Town (to more quickly maneuver between artisans, etc)
reduced Mount / Dismount CooldownsFaster Mount / longer SpurImprove Mount Maneuverability / Smoothness / getting stuck on minor obstaclesMount should break through Barricades
Leveling / Campaign / Dungeons / Endgame / Uberbosses
- Event Tracker List / UI
- let us fight Campaign Bosses again outside of the Campaign (maybe as additional Uberbosses or Worldbosses)
- fix the bug of Enemies spawning behind closed doors / gates, which prevents to open the gate in the first place
- immediately port us into a Nightmare Dungeon directly after a Nightmare Sigil has been activated
- make Nightmare Dungeon Icons easier to see / easier to re-find on the map
- endgame tree of whispers quests
- increased Drop Rates for Summoning Materials (to summon Uber Duriel, etc) - (some even suggest that Uber Duriel should not require any materials to summon, b/c you still have to fight him to have a small chance to get a Uber Unique)
- Uber Lilith boss fight should be improved, the attacks should be better visible and visually line up.
- some people suggest that Uber Duriel should be harder, while at the same time also drop more rewarding items or drop Uber Uniques more frequently.
- some people suggest that Items dropped by Uber Duriel should always have maxed Affixes
increased Mob Density during Helltides(Season 4 Patch)partially / indirectly addressedsome people request Cinders to 1) be account wide, 2) have no Cinder Penalty on death, and 3) persist to next Helltide... EDIT: has been partially/indirectly addressed by increasing the frequency of Helltides, but some people reported that this is not enoughsome players suggest / request to no longer hide Helltide Chest Icon on the Map, because it just redirects player traffic to 3'rd party websites(additional update in Patch 1.3.0: icons for Helltide Chest of Mysteries and Living Steel Chest have been updated to make them more visually distinctive from the other chest icons)increased frequency of Helltidesmore XP / Rewards for Side Quests / Whispers / Overworld Events / Helltides / PvPBetter Notifications (in Chat and or "Popup Notifications") for Worldbosses, Legion Events, etc.let us teleport directly into a Nightmare Dungeon"something to do" in the Endgame aside from Uber-Lilith(e.g. additional Uberbosses, Uber Events, Uber Challenges, etc)(lets see how this will work once implemented)Uber Lilith should have a (noticeable) increased Chance to drop Uber Uniques(Uber Bosses will now have higher chances for Uber Uniques)
Season Specific
- Minor Bug: Season 2 Materials are still dropping in Season 3
- Season 3 (partially addressed, but overall noticeably improved) -
requests for improving the Season Mechanics, Traps, Rewards, the Companion, etc- has been quickly addressed via numerous adjustments (Season 2 issue) fix the issue where Potent Blood is dropping within a fountain, making it impossible picking it up
Technical & Bugs
- general request: reduce Lag / Stutter
- keep an instance of a Nightmare Dungeon open for ~5 minutes after disconnect
- bug of characters getting stuck / floating in various ways under certain conditions
the camera should be zoomed out more by default (or as an option)(Season 4 Patch)fix the GPU Memory Leak Issueimprovements and Bug Fixes to Living Steel Chests (many users request less Cinders to open them and/or them dropping more Living Steel)
Other Quality of Life
- Respawn Point in Dungeon closer to the place of death
- the 'Scroll of Amnesia' should be able to be bought from a vendor for a reasonable price. Some additional suggestions: Scroll of Amnesia should be regularly granted when reaching certain levels. One Scroll for Paragon-only, one for Skill Points-only.
- Let us set the Townportal to a City of our choice.
- A way to save (a limited amount of) "Build Loadouts" (similar to D3's Wardrobe, but not as a replacement for D4's Wardrobe, but rather as an addition / extension)
- some ways to get at least smaller amounts of Platinum outside of purchasing something
- some people ask to keep the Gatehall from Season 3 (Season of the Construct) as a new (optional) HUB (a community discussion on that can be found here )
the camera should be zoomed out more by default (or as an option)(Season 4)Nightmare Sigils: put the level of enemies from a Nightmare Dungeon on the Nightmare Sigil(in Patch 1.3.x)improvements for Gold Trading on Console(in Patch 1.3.0)WASD Movement(in Patch 1.3.0)Option to Refund All Paragon / a single board as a wholeallow to disable Combat Text
Other
- some form of ingame Looking for Group Feature [suggestion by a redditor]
- additional gender-specific Transmogs (especially for Male Sorcerer)
- additional Hairstlyes
- Event Tracker List / UI
Training Dummy- Training Dummy is there now, but some people also desire a DPS Meter on the DummyRenown Rework (for Seasons) / let 100% of Renown carry over to Season
Recent additions to the list
- updated for Season 4 Patch, which included the Large Itemization Overhaul (Codex Update, all Aspects in the Codex, Tempering, Masterworking, Increased Camera Zoom, Helltide Updates, new Artisan Placements, adjusted Gem Bonuses, etc)
Tell us in the comments and discuss with other about which topics you think should be on this list to be highlighted, and why!
That helps us to update the list for next week.
2024.05.13 05:37 TheMetalOverlord Pokemon GS Chronicles (Gen 3 Binary Romhack) recruitment thread - Mappers needed
Well. Actually this is the third attempt I make to get help with my romhack during the past 6 years, so let's see if this time I get the help needed.
Pokémon GS Chronicles is a romhack that started almost 10 years ago (Has been in active development for around 4 years out of 10, lol). I have developed the game almost by my own during all that time, with some occasional help from other devs. If you need full information about the romhack and what it is, you can see all information and download the latest version here: https://www.pokecommunity.com/threads/pok%C3%A9mon-gs-chronicles-build-2-7-2-released-05-10-2024.340232/
I still have plans to keep developing myself the game, but due to I do this during some free time when I'm off from work, I need serious help with the mapping part. I need mappers with experience using Advance Map (HMA doesn't work for this game, and haven1433 said he won't make it compatible with it). One person should be enough, but 2 of them would be ideal. Any interested candidate must provide proof of their mapping experience in order to be considered.
Here's what I'm planning. I made a post last year confirming Kanto was going to have different stories and would be something like an "open world" like Pokémon Scarlet/Violet. Well, Kanto isn't a region that encourages exploration (Route 7 is an example, is just a f***g square with a straight path to Celadon City/Saffron City, lol). My goal is to expand these routes to encourage exploration. Here's an example of my vision (Still in process).
My Kanto Route 6
Here's a picture of the original Route 6:
Vanilla Kanto Route 6
If you didn't notice, you'll see my version keeps the escence of the original map. Basically is a map with 2 routes, the first one is a straight one that takes you to the next location, and the other one, a route with multiple paths and places to explore, find interesting stuff and get rewards to take a dead end. I need help to replicate the same with the rest of Kanto. I'm not skilled with maps, nor have the time to work in all 26 routes (This one took me a whole week to make, and isn't even complete).
Feel free to PM me if you're intested.
submitted by TheMetalOverlord to PokemonROMhacks [link] [comments]
Pokémon GS Chronicles is a romhack that started almost 10 years ago (Has been in active development for around 4 years out of 10, lol). I have developed the game almost by my own during all that time, with some occasional help from other devs. If you need full information about the romhack and what it is, you can see all information and download the latest version here: https://www.pokecommunity.com/threads/pok%C3%A9mon-gs-chronicles-build-2-7-2-released-05-10-2024.340232/
I still have plans to keep developing myself the game, but due to I do this during some free time when I'm off from work, I need serious help with the mapping part. I need mappers with experience using Advance Map (HMA doesn't work for this game, and haven1433 said he won't make it compatible with it). One person should be enough, but 2 of them would be ideal. Any interested candidate must provide proof of their mapping experience in order to be considered.
Here's what I'm planning. I made a post last year confirming Kanto was going to have different stories and would be something like an "open world" like Pokémon Scarlet/Violet. Well, Kanto isn't a region that encourages exploration (Route 7 is an example, is just a f***g square with a straight path to Celadon City/Saffron City, lol). My goal is to expand these routes to encourage exploration. Here's an example of my vision (Still in process).
My Kanto Route 6
Here's a picture of the original Route 6:
Vanilla Kanto Route 6
If you didn't notice, you'll see my version keeps the escence of the original map. Basically is a map with 2 routes, the first one is a straight one that takes you to the next location, and the other one, a route with multiple paths and places to explore, find interesting stuff and get rewards to take a dead end. I need help to replicate the same with the rest of Kanto. I'm not skilled with maps, nor have the time to work in all 26 routes (This one took me a whole week to make, and isn't even complete).
Feel free to PM me if you're intested.
2024.05.13 02:36 Blockchain-TEMU Patented Daydream Charm 1
- Stardew Valley - Live a New Live https : // www . dropbox . com / scl / fo / tkr8l2yhu97eswp4oi9hd / h ?rlkey = v25ss7itv98qkcrk9x4s84j6s & dl = 0 1.1 The user is dropped off in a bus 1.1.1 The user can roam to different places 1.1.2 The user can go to Emily's House 1.1.3 Emily's House has a toilet but you cannot use it 1.1.4 The user can go to Analisa's House 1.1.5 Analisa's House has a toilet but you cannot use it 1.1.6 Emily's House makes clothes in it 1.1.7 Analisa's House has a kitchen 1.1.8 Emily's House has a kitchen 1.1.9 You have a poor house you are maintaining 1.2.0 You have a hearth 1.2.1 You have water on your property 1.2.2 You have some land you can grow crops on 1.2.3 There is a Jojimart you can buy goods from 1.2.4 The joji mart has many shelves, over 100 1.2.5 Goods from the goji mart are delivered by truck 1.2.6 There is a blacksmith 1.2.7 There is a dilapidated building to the north which has rats in it 1.2.8 There is a medical clinic 1.2.9 There is a general store 1.3.0 There is red living at the general store 1.3.1 The general store also has shelves but less 1.3.2 The general store sells tooth and nail items 1.3.3 You cannot access the back part of the general store 1.3.4 There is a chapel 1.3.5 There is a manor in the nice part of town 1.3.6 There is a trailer park of poor people and their dog 1.3.7 You want to fix up the dilapidated building with your grandpa and you see a rat 1.3.8 Kenningston, Texas https : // www . dropbox . com / scl / fo / l9zev0vlyx8ygi1rfifq0 / ADvctmdjvR93fk-3-PhYX24 ? rlkey = 3irycyhavaqxwdhi3j7rprqig & dl = 0 1.3.9 The user is outside the protection of the USA 1.4.0 The user must enter their house or the guard turret will anihhillate them 1.4.1 There is mikes house and ryans house and two other houses and a nature reserve with fighters on it 1.4.2 Mikes house is like all the others and has a kitchen and a main room and an upstairs with two rooms and a closet and a bathroom 1.4.3 Ryans house is like all the others and has a kitchen and a main room and an upstairs with two rooms and a closet and a bathroom. 1.4.4 All the other houses are like all the others and have a kitchen and a main room and an upstairs and two rooms and a closet and a bedroom 1.4.5 There is 16 Bars of oxygen in every location 1.4.6 Every location is lit with some kind of pervasive light 1.4.7 Some houses have television in the main room 1.4.8 Mikes house has a bong in the closet 1.4.9 There are fighters at the nature reserve waco 1.5.0 The nature reserve has a checkpoint which some menial laborer is at 1.5.1 The checkpoint has a PC 1.5.2 There is some jesus camp at the nature reserve 1.5.3 There are four building at the nature reserve with people in them 1.5.4 There is a primary building to the nature reserve 1.5.5 There is uncharted wilderness at the nature reserve where evil satanic critters lurk 1.5.6 The user must cross over the turrets to get to the nature reserve so that it is unacessable by default. 1.5.7 Cabo San Lucas https : // www . dropbox . com / scl / fo / e693glvwxrupb7coxjqy4 / AD3KU3DpBVEJ6OaWqLyVmII ? rlkey = ahhi8h5foqyejxhpcd1bw6jkk & dl = 0 1.5.8 The user feels larger than life 1.5.9 The user can get to a hostel which is a nice hostel 1.6.0 There is a pool at the hostel 1.6.1 There is some rooms at the hostel 1.6.2 There is a bad part of town 1.6.3 There is a tower high rise in the bad part of town 1.6.4 There are street dwellings in the bad part of town 1.6.5 There is a store the user can get to 1.6.6 There are over 8 rooms in the tower high rise and 4 street dwellings 1.6.7 There is not much to do at the resort. 1.6.8 There is mains utility in the high rise 1.6.9 There is oxygen at 14 Bar Pressure throughout 1.7.0 There is lighting at 8 effective lumen throughout 1.7.1 You can get some chips and shit at the store 1.7.2 You can get cigarrilos at the store 1.7.3 Nobody is doing any drugs 1.7.4 There are some retailer chains which are common. 1.7.5 Antiqdormi's Estate https : // www . dropbox . com / scl / fo / hsuqekrpy6ju9fs91onvy / h ? rlkey = njj186fjad7s6g0lkm0kyp25f & dl = 0 1.7.6 There is an estate auction and you are outside the house 1.7.7 Rare war spoils are being sold at the auction for gold payments 1.7.8 There is a large mansion associated to the estate sale 1.7.9 Willis is at the auction and he is in his dragon visage 1.8.0 Willis is selling a battleaxe 1.8.1 The area is well oxygenated with 15 Bar of Oxygen Throughout 1.8.2 The lights are outputting about 8 lumen throughout. 1.8.3 There is 4 Rooms to the downstairs of the manor and 4 rooms to the upstairs 1.8.4 There is a kitchen which smells like citral detrussor limonene 1.8.5 Each room has their own toilet set 1.8.6 There are clothes in the rooms 1.8.7 There are computers in the rooms 1.8.8 There is a media room where people are playing instruments 1.8.9 There is plumbing provision line of oxygen in each room 1.9.0 Not much is being cooked in the kitchen 1.9.1 The auction sells its three items of the day and then the people go home 1.9.2 Some weed was sold that day always 1.9.3 Some weed grow lights were sold that day always 1.9.4 The Imperial City https : // www . dropbox . com / scl / fo / 3b871cm0cuc2d5agrqkve / h ? rlkey = 922pfgj4yrchv6vwhip7o34oj & dl = 0 1.9.5 The user is outside the prison of the imperial city 1.9.6 Bloody croconaw need to be avoided 1.9.7 The user is inside of the city gates 1.9.8 There is a market district of the city 1.9.9 The market district has an inn and a few stores 2.0.0 A rare staff is being sold at the staff shop 2.0.1 Many robes are being sold at the staff shop 2.0.2 There is many vegetable at the inn 2.0.3 There is another nicer inn which has a downstairs unplottable section 2.0.4 There is a main temple district 2.0.5 Not much can be used in the temple district 2.0.6 All places have some 14 Bar of Oxygen and are lit at 8 Lighting Points 2.0.7 There is a marketers district 2.0.8 There is a tradesman with a full desk in the marketers district 2.0.9 You cannot go upstairs in most houses and there is no market district 2.1.0 There is scrolls in the market district which reference many arcane figures 2.1.1 There is a bloat fly district where there is a ship 2.1.2 There is not enough oxygen in the hold of the ship 2.1.3 There is a storeroom in the bloat fly district 2.1.4 Seoul Harvey Street https : // www . dropbox . com / scl / fo / 5o98pl4r1xuaukojwsp21 / AMlfRxaMTT5vDtsjkm1lxvM ? rlkey = 8zn027722n2mx18udx2bz51g1 & dl = 0 2.1.5 Seoul Juniper Street https : // www . dropbox . com / scl / fo / 1w4ukguw8022bk4sgxxf4 / AFraPT_wxHm294rqwtiJ7BY ? rlkey = bcub6mqad562e6w1jd1l0o29f & dl = 0 2.1.6 30C International https : // www . dropbox . com / scl / fo / lar0xhpgnwkvepvglr97r / h ? rlkey = dhwyo18ci9e3d01ryb645s0f9 & dl = 0 2.1.7 Harvey Street Is In a Nice District 2.1.8 Harvey Street Has an International Tower On It 2.1.9 The international Tower has 4 levels 2.2.0 The international tower has guest checkin 2.2.1 The international tower has a public restroom 2.2.2 Chris has a room near the international tower 2.2.3 Chris has an upstairs and a kitchen and a foyer 2.2.4 Chris has clothes in his room 2.2.5 Chris has a PC in his room 2.2.6 The Gayo Strawberry Have a music studio near the International Tower 2.2.7 Strawberry Studio has its own music equipment 2.2.8 Strawberry Studio has its own amplifier equipment 2.2.9 Strawberry Studio has its own computer equipment 2.3.0 Juniper street is where chris has another house 2.3.1 Ievan also has houses at juniper street 2.3.2 All three houses have an upstairs and a kitchen and a bedroom 2.3.3 Not much is cooked in the kitchen 2.3.4 All houses have clothes in the bedroom 2.3.5 All houses have PC in the bedroom 2.3.6 There is another international tower at juniper street 2.3.7 The tower also has 4 levels and a checkin and a restroom 2.3.8 There is a 7/11 which the people can access to get some food at 2.3.9 Nobody is doing any drugs. 2.4.0 Glowfield https : // www . dropbox . com / scl / fo / jqq6fkc119yzyywbxs4u5 / AG3UrEfvxSsAS4T0OX5llkQ ? rlkey = x38gj50pnb3jqhyfkt4ilc2z4 & dl = 0 2.4.1 Everyone is an animal and it is twilight 2.4.2 There is the town down the road from you and a military fort and the town you are living in 2.4.3 There is an animal house you live in and there are maybe 4 other animal house 2.4.4 You can get some food from a cat dispenser 2.4.5 There are mother cat holders and mother and father cat families 2.4.6 Everywhere holds good sea level 16 Bar Oxygen 2.4.7 Everywhere holds good 8 lumen lighting 2.4.8 There is a cat tower with cats in it 2.4.9 There is a medical area for cats with cats in it 2.5.0 Valdrakken Sleepover https : // www . dropbox . com / scl / fo / x7rce9kp6c2yeic445ixl / AJ-zhRCSrlCL2goTP84YfGg ? rlkey = tp2i4w00oormstvj41xc9vo5m & dl = 0 2.5.1 There is a large house with cartestraza in it 2.5.2 There is a long path to the tea party 2.5.3 There is an auctionhouse 2.5.4 There is a bank to deal money 2.5.5 There is some other buildings to cartman's friends 2.5.6 The Area is Well Oxygenated at 16 Bar Throughout 2.5.7 The Area is lit at 8 lumen throughout 2.5.8 There is some river baths below 2.5.9 There is an artesian's area 2.6.0 There is a smithy area 2.6.1 There is the actual tea party area which has cartmans medicine in it 2.6.2 RT Agnes' House https : // www . dropbox . com / scl / fo / taeckmcb9xjxqr29n04cs / AD-QiTDUCqHv4zeioEN4bac ? rlkey = wqq6akw3qb7cawq2odtobm642 & dl = 0 2.6.3 There is a large school for troubled girls 2.6.4 There is a kitchen 2.6.5 There is dormitories for the girls 2.6.6 There is a grounds which has shrubs 2.6.7 There is oxygen at 16 Bars throughout 2.6.8 There is lighting at 8 Lumen Throughout 2.6.9 There are large displays which the girls check into their rooms with 2.7.0 The kitchen does not cook much 2.7.1 There are clothes in each room 2.7.2 There are PCs in each room 2.7.3 There are no actual girls in the environment but the user 2.7.4 The girls can exit to the grounds to loiter 2.7.5 Swiss Alps Preserve https : // www . dropbox . com / scl / fo / 0d79rs7wyvfxceq66wgnz / AK9c1ny2KbhwuOFdloQDthI ? rlkey = 6ylncw0w3h8rnt1ya9xxfujjl & dl = 0 2.7.6 The user is in a bunker with notch 2.7.7 The user has their own room towards the entrance 2.7.8 The user has their parents room towards the entrance 2.7.9 All throughout the bunker is high quality oxygen at 16 Bar 2.8.0 The bunker is lit at 8 lumens of power 2.8.1 There is a farther on section where notch is 2.8.2 Notch has a candy room 2.8.3 Notch has a secret area where he is keeping your sister 2.8.4 Notch is keeping your other sister 2.8.5 There is just candy for the people kept 2.8.6 Notch is nowhere to be found 2.8.7 Your sisters are nowhere 2.8.8 USS Nimitz Class Aircraft Carrier https : // www . dropbox . com / scl / fo / 0d79rs7wyvfxceq66wgnz / AK9c1ny2KbhwuOFdloQDthI ? rlkey = 6ylncw0w3h8rnt1ya9xxfujjl & dl = 0 2.8.9 DANGER USA Start on the flight deck 2.9.0 Bridge off limit controls the ship 2.9.1 Go underbelly on side stairs 2.9.2 Main work area towards in crew to the left 2.9.3 UAVs launch from here and F-22 2.9.4 Hydraulic Lift to Deck 2.9.5 Maintenance area after second work area staging area 2.9.6 SEALS Range at the Maintenance Area 2.9.7 Medical Officer at the end of the second area 2.9.8 In Crew Area First left mess down the stairs Main Area 2.9.9 Mail room front left and officer's bunks left 3.0.0 Shower area mid right 3.0.1 Boys and Girls bunks off left 3.0.2 Cook at the mess 3.0.3 Pilot a UAV from the officers nook 3.0.4 Four hidden area one main area one cook area one uav area one tactical bridge 3.0.5 Capacity for 16+ Humvee and 4 UAV and 4 F-22 3.0.6 Multiuse tool driver and gasoline availible at main area 3.0.7 Sonar availible at side bridge 3.0.8 Cooking at cooks area 3.0.9 Leisure at main area offside 3.1.0 Tahiti Resort https : // www . dropbox . com / scl / fo / apid9px37ijuxqhmloqfi / AB-G6ghF9Fe1_XyicGEZqvE ? rlkey = az70kfyq53551bvo1og4h4jiq & dl = 0 3.1.1 You are little yeezy and you are getting dentistry 3.1.2 If you are not lil wayne IRL you are AJB Jody in this daydream 3.1.3 You go to the tahiti dentist 3.1.4 He looks up your care and gives you a molar filling 3.1.5 You are free to party with your friends 3.1.6 Your dog poops in the pool but somebody cleans it up 3.1.7 You have 4 cabana to your friend 3.1.8 One of your cabana has a pool in it your dog pooped in 3.1.9 You can go to the wilderness 3.2.0 Old Man Dancubed has a Hut in the wilderness 3.2.1 There is oxygen everywhere at 16 Bar Sea Level Pressure 3.2.2 There is lighting everywhere at natural 8 lumens of lighting 3.2.3 There is a swarm of shroomish in the field 3.2.4 You have no pokeball so you cannot catch the shroomish 3.2.5 You go back to the cabana 3.2.6 Each cabana has a toilet 3.2.7 You use the toilet 3.2.8 You are yeezy so you just put on your clothes now. 3.2.9 Home Base https : // www . dropbox . com / scl / fo / 5o4vbl2np0025bx7oxh60 / h ? rlkey = 7m3d4873lmcfutz2ro5gy7cyq & dl = 0 3.3.0 You wake up in Desert Rain 3.3.1 You march to the toilet 3.3.2 You use the toilet 3.3.3 You go to the mess 3.3.4 You open the door to the mess and get your tray 3.3.5 You eat your food 3.3.6 You go to physical training 3.3.7 You do physical training or go on a mission in the field 3.3.8 If you have new equipment show the privates 3.3.9 Use echo locator to fetch orders (officer only) 3.4.0 Goto the APV and make sure it is fueled and the doors lock 3.4.1 Drive to the location A checkpoint alpha at the far edge of the friendly territory not bearing weapons 3.4.2 Drive to location B target pickup at the interior of enemy territory making sure to bear weapons 3.4.3 Park at location and retrieve medical patient 3.4.4 Ask patient disease consent for cancer surgery (always cancer patient) 3.4.5 En route to home base treat patient with PS-1994 vaccine and surgery necessary being sure to stitch patient after primary surgery 3.4.6 Administer the painkiller if patient is having trouble with pain 3.4.7 Evacuate patient from vehicle after vehicle is at rest and then put patient in medical staging area 3.4.8 Call for medical huey and wait with patient and administer patient second stage antiviral 3.4.9 Transport patient directly to liberty missile carrier holding patients hand if neccesary with using air harness 3.5.0 March patient on gurney downstairs on the liberty missile carrier 3.5.1 March back to huey after patient is downstairs and make sure medical contract if given is given with you there 3.5.2 Fly Huey back to primary objective 10 miles 3.5.3 Land huey and get out of the huey 3.5.4 Finish Physical Training for rest of 2 Hours 3.5.5 When physical training is done hit the speedbag and boots off 3.5.6 Get more food at the mess 3.5.7 Get a drink or water or get chiropracting 3.5.8 Use the Toughbook at the tent with variac 3.5.9 Tend to medical duties or monitor existing operations for the rest of the day (reg for day shift) 3.6.0 FT BENNINGS https : // www . dropbox . com / scl / fo / wcyt8yjbqilrpix326uau / AF33dEe1N3JjJsXCplAatOo ? rlkey = 36rorc1x44wadrk0d1f0qxr1u & dl = 0 3.6.1 There are some houses at Fort Bennings 3.6.2 There is an extended range at Fort Bennings 3.6.3 Fort Bennings has 15 bar sea level oxygen 3.6.4 Fort Bennings has natural 8 lumens of lighting 3.6.5 Fort Bennings requires you to go up a wall and across a river and down 3.6.6 Fort Bennings Requires you to Swim at the pool 3.6.7 Fort Bennings Has a medical officer at most times in the medical section 3.6.8 Fort Bennings has secret parts of the range that only SEALS are allowed to access 3.6.9 Fort Bennings may get delivery of arms materiel from time to time to facilitate operations at Fort Bennings. 3.7.0 Royal Army on Mars https : // www . dropbox . com / scl / fo / w2mz1k144pg3ak0zh6kyx / AHyDiQR1gV17yam9Xu6sj74 ? rlkey = 9pjhuiukfchqf1annvakgd1ez & dl = 0 3.7.1 The player is on a mars base 3.7.2 200 Or More People are around the player 3.7.3 The player behaves normally and has no particular power 3.7.4 There is an upstairs to the base with a school and a downstairs and science and a commissary and mail room on mars 3.7.5 Domestic Mew Pokemon are grown by the mars base 3.7.6 The mars base has reached almost complete buildout 3.7.7 The mars base has an exterior portion where 449 houses are 3.7.8 The total span of the mars base is over 2000 meters in length 3.7.9 The mars base incorporates an inflatable farm structure and has over 45 power core of the same design in it and also has various synthesis on it.
2024.05.13 02:12 TheBlaringBlue The Art of the Keepsake
I’ve had a lot of adventures in my life.
I’ve traveled, made friends, seen sights, competed in sports, and participated in events.
Sometimes, following any of these endeavors, a small object would find itself in my possession. A knickknack, a totem, a doodad.
Maybe it was a collection of Mardi Gras beads from my trip to New Orleans. Or a t-shirt tossed by a cheerleader at a sporting event. A toy from a claw machine. A mixtape from a friend. A thank-you note. A cheap piece of junk from a tourist’s gift shop.
Whatever they were didn’t matter — what matters is that they were often a representation of whatever moment in time they came from.
I never threw these things away. I set them on my desk or on my shelves. When those spaces filled up, I bought two small storage containers. They’re filled to the brim and I’m currently filling a third.
Why keep the color-coordinated bandana a stranger gave me in the park during Pokemon Go’s heyday? Why hold onto the Save the Date from my high school friend who ended up getting divorced not two years later? What significance or use could I possibly have for those goofy White Elephant gifts my kickball team gave at the yearly Christmas party?
No purpose, no reason and there is none, respectively.
And yet I don’t want to let them go. You see, they are reminders of times and experiences — Keepsakes. Mementos. Souvenirs. In some ways, they’re a physical collection and documentation of my life.
It reminds me a little bit of this weird quirk I have when I play video games.
--
I likely dumped more than 500 hours across all my Skyrim save files. There was no other game, there needn’t be any other game and there still hasn’t been any other game since.
In my adulthood, I returned to one of its many definitive editions for one last victory lap. With my experience, memory and fully-formed adult brain, I approached the game methodologically, in an optimal order, carefully. I built my ideal character and crafted only what was needed — down to the last iron ingot. I explored, I experienced — I did every major and minor quest, making it my perfect playthrough.
One thing I love about Skyrim is the loot. Yes, there’s 20 million iron daggers and boring, inventory-cluttering useless items… but then there’s the special ones.
There’s the unique weapons at the end of each Daedric quest. The trinkets from the Thieves Guild. Spellbooks, statuettes and storybooks. The eerily-delivered note for the assassin’s questline. The robes of the king, the rings and necklaces of Jarls.
You know them — the items with one-of-a-kind names and designs that are specific to each of their quests.
You see, these items carry a story with them. How you stole for them or killed for them. Traveled, battled, talked, stealthed, lied, solved your way into their possession. They’re the game’s biggest treat.
That’s why, at the culmination of my final ever Skyrim playthrough, I bought a house in Whiterun and filled it with these objects.
Weapons and armors on the walls and on the racks, items and books placed carefully on shelves - but not just any weapons, armors, objects and books. Only the special ones. It was a house that told the story of all of my adventures.
I sat down in a chair next to Aela the Huntress in my castle, my throne room. I saved my game one final time.
--
For all of gaming’s swashbuckling adventures, magnificent worlds and large stretches of land to traverse, they don’t always give us too much to remember them by, do they?
I appreciate Skyrim so much for understanding the nature of the epic they were creating. The ability to fill your house with display cases, armor mannequins and weapon racks demonstrates the developer’s awareness of their playerbase and the scale of the adventures they were sending them on.
These are adventures to cherish, to tell tales of, to be remembered.
Will anyone else give me what Skyrim did?
…
The answer’s yes, actually.
It’s a fascinating yes, too — because not every keepsake system is cut from the same cloth. Games offer unique takes on the mechanic that energize it, give it new life and perspective and add layers of meaning to it in fresh ways.
And I’ve got plenty of examples.
--
In The Outer Worlds, special items you collected while out adventuring would be placed in specific locations throughout your ship, The Unreliable, upon return. These included things like:
• Posters• Signs• Various ISO items• Tossballs & Tossball cards• Golden bird statuettes• Many, many more
Sometimes these were stored by the game in your captain’s quarters, but other times, they’d appear in your squad’s quarters instead.
No matter where they got stored, these items were more than just junk. They were signature weapons of terrible villains whom you defeated, they were outlandish garb from flamboyant characters who painstakingly passed away to protect your life, they were motifs of resource-gouging corporations whom you shutdown for the good of cities and planets.
They were special, they were keepsakes. Their addition made The Unreliable feel alive and lived in, part of your own, unique journey, filled with the stories and tales of your adventure and — importantly and specifically to The Outer Worlds — your choices.
—
The second and third installments of the Mass Effect series contained model ships you could buy from vendors that would then go on display on desks or on racks in your spaceship, The Normandy.
These are a little different because you buy them, rather than slice somebody’s head off for them, but they still count.
What makes them still count here is twofold:
• Some model ships only become available after completing certain missions that actually involve the ship you’re buying a model of, so they still serve as a reminder and memento of specific accomplishments in this way
• If you transferred your save data through the games, models you collected in ME2 would appear automatically on The Normandy in ME3. Being able to carry souvenirs into a sequel is exceptional, and a feat I’ve not found any other game to match.
Mass Effect: Andromeda saw a return of this feature, too. You ended up re-gathering old ships of yore in this installment, however. Andromeda also featured a more traditional collectible-style search; these model ships were looted from various locations in the world.
The original trilogy used the model ships as landmarks for its major moments, to be remembered across the series, while Andromeda paid homage to the previous games and encouraged its players to explore its world more thoroughly.
—
In Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, building up your burgeoning young settlement of Ravensthorpe is a central gameplay mechanic — as you acquire more resources to build with, the size of the village grows both in length, width and inhabitants.
The game includes optional side quests that change those who wander your evolving home and hub in medieval England. They include:
• Capturing a stray cat• Saving a fox from a burning home• Befriending a fallen hunter’s wolf pet
In each instance, the living being will join your settlement — the cat will stay underneath Eivor’s seat in your longship, the fox will wander Ravensthorpe and the wolf will welcome you in your personal quarters, howling at your arrival.
You can interact and pet them whenever you like, playing a short animation displaying the affection between the two.
These three “collectibles” don’t feel like trinkets, but living, breathing additions to your home that give it joy and life, as well as keep you young.
—
Speaking of Norse culture, central to Biomutant is a form of Yggdrasil — the WorldTree.
Central to Biomutant’s story is saving the old, decaying and currently-being-eaten-by-giant-monsters WorldTree. And there are two impressive quests in the game that reflect back to the player their efforts in saving it.
One quest saves the tree from festering toxins below its roots — and the tree’s colors change from green to fluorescent white as a result.
Another quest by the name of Aurora has you activate monoliths around the map that direct energy to the WorldTree. The quest climaxes by having the tree give off a swirling, sparkling aura that hangs perpetually while you travel the world and complete more objectives.
It even matches your affinity — if you’re taking the side of love and justice, the aura is white, while if you play for the destruction of the planet, the aura will hang black.
What’s special about these to me is that they don’t do anything. They don’t get you any closer to saving the world or the tree, but they definitely did something important –
The WorldTree’s central location in the map and absolutely massive scale allow for it to be seen at all times from just about anywhere in Biomutant’s world. This means, after I had completed these two quests, the fruits of my labor were on gloriously beautiful display at all times.
Biomutant’s mementos aren’t keepsakes you can’t take with you when you leave the planet — they’re visual celebrations of your hard work, an ever-present reminder of your endeavors and care for a dying world.
—
More briefly, Cyberpunk 2077 allowed you to fill V’s apartment with keepsakes as well, featuring dream catchers, posters, paintings, action figures and more.
In Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance Ace Azzameen’s personal quarters would fill up with medals and displays as you progressed through the game.
In The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, some of the most legendary Zelda equipment ever was available to the player, including the Sword of Six Sages, the Fierce Deity Sword, and the Biggorons Sword — all of which can be hung in display cases in Link’s home.
Meanwhile, Uncharted 4 greets players near its opening sequence with an attic filled with memorabilia and keepsakes that Nathan Drake himself has kept after all these years. It’s not us — the players — ourselves collecting and hoarding, but it was lovely to see Drake thinking along the same lines as us souvenir psychopaths.
—
I’ll end with gaming’s classic — Mario. The red-hatted Italian also did the keepsake thing in one of his most beloved installments.
Super Mario: Odyssey allowed you to decorate The Odyssey with stickers and trinkets from your escapades by spending purple coins you could collect while out adventuring on one of the game’s many worlds.
A vanilla Odyssey player’s ship might look the same as it did at the game’s start, but a completionist might have a slew of trinkets and décor, like:
• Peach’s Model Castle• Dinosaur models and trophies• Shiverian Nesting Dolls• A plush frog• Flowers and a watering can from Steam Gardens• Statues of Pauline, Jaxi, Jizo• A lamp and rock fragment of the moon
Hell, the game director himself sounds like he’s read this very article:
--
Video game narratives and their accompanying worlds are monstrously large nowadays. As enjoyers of the medium, us gamers spend a lot of time in them.
Like, a lot.
In recognition of this, game developers have given gamers a number of distinct tools to document their triumphs and sagas — each with their own unique flavor of congratulations and commemoration.
For our enormous investment with huge worlds and long, winding quests, something tangible we can keep hold of provides value, meaning, memories. They make our journey — one which we have committed so much to — special, transcendent, our own.
They give us things no other entertainment medium can give.
So fuck photo mode. A picture isn’t worth a thousand words — my keepsakes are.
(A special thanks to the members of patientgamers for their contributions to this post that helped inform this essay with games I have and have not played.)
submitted by TheBlaringBlue to ItsAllAboutGames [link] [comments]
I’ve traveled, made friends, seen sights, competed in sports, and participated in events.
Sometimes, following any of these endeavors, a small object would find itself in my possession. A knickknack, a totem, a doodad.
Maybe it was a collection of Mardi Gras beads from my trip to New Orleans. Or a t-shirt tossed by a cheerleader at a sporting event. A toy from a claw machine. A mixtape from a friend. A thank-you note. A cheap piece of junk from a tourist’s gift shop.
Whatever they were didn’t matter — what matters is that they were often a representation of whatever moment in time they came from.
I never threw these things away. I set them on my desk or on my shelves. When those spaces filled up, I bought two small storage containers. They’re filled to the brim and I’m currently filling a third.
Why keep the color-coordinated bandana a stranger gave me in the park during Pokemon Go’s heyday? Why hold onto the Save the Date from my high school friend who ended up getting divorced not two years later? What significance or use could I possibly have for those goofy White Elephant gifts my kickball team gave at the yearly Christmas party?
No purpose, no reason and there is none, respectively.
And yet I don’t want to let them go. You see, they are reminders of times and experiences — Keepsakes. Mementos. Souvenirs. In some ways, they’re a physical collection and documentation of my life.
It reminds me a little bit of this weird quirk I have when I play video games.
--
I likely dumped more than 500 hours across all my Skyrim save files. There was no other game, there needn’t be any other game and there still hasn’t been any other game since.
In my adulthood, I returned to one of its many definitive editions for one last victory lap. With my experience, memory and fully-formed adult brain, I approached the game methodologically, in an optimal order, carefully. I built my ideal character and crafted only what was needed — down to the last iron ingot. I explored, I experienced — I did every major and minor quest, making it my perfect playthrough.
One thing I love about Skyrim is the loot. Yes, there’s 20 million iron daggers and boring, inventory-cluttering useless items… but then there’s the special ones.
There’s the unique weapons at the end of each Daedric quest. The trinkets from the Thieves Guild. Spellbooks, statuettes and storybooks. The eerily-delivered note for the assassin’s questline. The robes of the king, the rings and necklaces of Jarls.
You know them — the items with one-of-a-kind names and designs that are specific to each of their quests.
You see, these items carry a story with them. How you stole for them or killed for them. Traveled, battled, talked, stealthed, lied, solved your way into their possession. They’re the game’s biggest treat.
That’s why, at the culmination of my final ever Skyrim playthrough, I bought a house in Whiterun and filled it with these objects.
Weapons and armors on the walls and on the racks, items and books placed carefully on shelves - but not just any weapons, armors, objects and books. Only the special ones. It was a house that told the story of all of my adventures.
I sat down in a chair next to Aela the Huntress in my castle, my throne room. I saved my game one final time.
--
For all of gaming’s swashbuckling adventures, magnificent worlds and large stretches of land to traverse, they don’t always give us too much to remember them by, do they?
I appreciate Skyrim so much for understanding the nature of the epic they were creating. The ability to fill your house with display cases, armor mannequins and weapon racks demonstrates the developer’s awareness of their playerbase and the scale of the adventures they were sending them on.
These are adventures to cherish, to tell tales of, to be remembered.
Will anyone else give me what Skyrim did?
…
The answer’s yes, actually.
It’s a fascinating yes, too — because not every keepsake system is cut from the same cloth. Games offer unique takes on the mechanic that energize it, give it new life and perspective and add layers of meaning to it in fresh ways.
And I’ve got plenty of examples.
--
In The Outer Worlds, special items you collected while out adventuring would be placed in specific locations throughout your ship, The Unreliable, upon return. These included things like:
• Posters• Signs• Various ISO items• Tossballs & Tossball cards• Golden bird statuettes• Many, many more
Sometimes these were stored by the game in your captain’s quarters, but other times, they’d appear in your squad’s quarters instead.
No matter where they got stored, these items were more than just junk. They were signature weapons of terrible villains whom you defeated, they were outlandish garb from flamboyant characters who painstakingly passed away to protect your life, they were motifs of resource-gouging corporations whom you shutdown for the good of cities and planets.
They were special, they were keepsakes. Their addition made The Unreliable feel alive and lived in, part of your own, unique journey, filled with the stories and tales of your adventure and — importantly and specifically to The Outer Worlds — your choices.
—
The second and third installments of the Mass Effect series contained model ships you could buy from vendors that would then go on display on desks or on racks in your spaceship, The Normandy.
These are a little different because you buy them, rather than slice somebody’s head off for them, but they still count.
What makes them still count here is twofold:
• Some model ships only become available after completing certain missions that actually involve the ship you’re buying a model of, so they still serve as a reminder and memento of specific accomplishments in this way
• If you transferred your save data through the games, models you collected in ME2 would appear automatically on The Normandy in ME3. Being able to carry souvenirs into a sequel is exceptional, and a feat I’ve not found any other game to match.
Mass Effect: Andromeda saw a return of this feature, too. You ended up re-gathering old ships of yore in this installment, however. Andromeda also featured a more traditional collectible-style search; these model ships were looted from various locations in the world.
The original trilogy used the model ships as landmarks for its major moments, to be remembered across the series, while Andromeda paid homage to the previous games and encouraged its players to explore its world more thoroughly.
—
In Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, building up your burgeoning young settlement of Ravensthorpe is a central gameplay mechanic — as you acquire more resources to build with, the size of the village grows both in length, width and inhabitants.
The game includes optional side quests that change those who wander your evolving home and hub in medieval England. They include:
• Capturing a stray cat• Saving a fox from a burning home• Befriending a fallen hunter’s wolf pet
In each instance, the living being will join your settlement — the cat will stay underneath Eivor’s seat in your longship, the fox will wander Ravensthorpe and the wolf will welcome you in your personal quarters, howling at your arrival.
You can interact and pet them whenever you like, playing a short animation displaying the affection between the two.
These three “collectibles” don’t feel like trinkets, but living, breathing additions to your home that give it joy and life, as well as keep you young.
—
Speaking of Norse culture, central to Biomutant is a form of Yggdrasil — the WorldTree.
Central to Biomutant’s story is saving the old, decaying and currently-being-eaten-by-giant-monsters WorldTree. And there are two impressive quests in the game that reflect back to the player their efforts in saving it.
One quest saves the tree from festering toxins below its roots — and the tree’s colors change from green to fluorescent white as a result.
Another quest by the name of Aurora has you activate monoliths around the map that direct energy to the WorldTree. The quest climaxes by having the tree give off a swirling, sparkling aura that hangs perpetually while you travel the world and complete more objectives.
It even matches your affinity — if you’re taking the side of love and justice, the aura is white, while if you play for the destruction of the planet, the aura will hang black.
What’s special about these to me is that they don’t do anything. They don’t get you any closer to saving the world or the tree, but they definitely did something important –
The WorldTree’s central location in the map and absolutely massive scale allow for it to be seen at all times from just about anywhere in Biomutant’s world. This means, after I had completed these two quests, the fruits of my labor were on gloriously beautiful display at all times.
Biomutant’s mementos aren’t keepsakes you can’t take with you when you leave the planet — they’re visual celebrations of your hard work, an ever-present reminder of your endeavors and care for a dying world.
—
More briefly, Cyberpunk 2077 allowed you to fill V’s apartment with keepsakes as well, featuring dream catchers, posters, paintings, action figures and more.
In Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance Ace Azzameen’s personal quarters would fill up with medals and displays as you progressed through the game.
In The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, some of the most legendary Zelda equipment ever was available to the player, including the Sword of Six Sages, the Fierce Deity Sword, and the Biggorons Sword — all of which can be hung in display cases in Link’s home.
Meanwhile, Uncharted 4 greets players near its opening sequence with an attic filled with memorabilia and keepsakes that Nathan Drake himself has kept after all these years. It’s not us — the players — ourselves collecting and hoarding, but it was lovely to see Drake thinking along the same lines as us souvenir psychopaths.
—
I’ll end with gaming’s classic — Mario. The red-hatted Italian also did the keepsake thing in one of his most beloved installments.
Super Mario: Odyssey allowed you to decorate The Odyssey with stickers and trinkets from your escapades by spending purple coins you could collect while out adventuring on one of the game’s many worlds.
A vanilla Odyssey player’s ship might look the same as it did at the game’s start, but a completionist might have a slew of trinkets and décor, like:
• Peach’s Model Castle• Dinosaur models and trophies• Shiverian Nesting Dolls• A plush frog• Flowers and a watering can from Steam Gardens• Statues of Pauline, Jaxi, Jizo• A lamp and rock fragment of the moon
Hell, the game director himself sounds like he’s read this very article:
“But what about decorating the ship? There’s a shop that appears in many kingdoms where you can buy souvenirs and stickers using the purple coins you’ve gathered.The ability to make The Odyssey your own evolved the traditional fetch-quest nature of collectible gathering and drove the player to go that little bit of extra distance in exploring and engaging with the various kingdoms and mastering the game’s platforming.
Collecting memories is one of the best parts of traveling, don’t you think?” –Kenta Motokura
--
Video game narratives and their accompanying worlds are monstrously large nowadays. As enjoyers of the medium, us gamers spend a lot of time in them.
Like, a lot.
In recognition of this, game developers have given gamers a number of distinct tools to document their triumphs and sagas — each with their own unique flavor of congratulations and commemoration.
For our enormous investment with huge worlds and long, winding quests, something tangible we can keep hold of provides value, meaning, memories. They make our journey — one which we have committed so much to — special, transcendent, our own.
They give us things no other entertainment medium can give.
So fuck photo mode. A picture isn’t worth a thousand words — my keepsakes are.
(A special thanks to the members of patientgamers for their contributions to this post that helped inform this essay with games I have and have not played.)
2024.05.13 01:18 Storms_Wrath The Human Artificial Hivemind Part 511: The Weight Of History
First Previous Wiki
"What am I looking at?" Edu'frec asked. Gaia had taken his android to a small room with a single holographic projector connected to a power outlet. The room was generally devoid of any other features, with grey drywall and a concrete floor. The ceiling was also concrete, poured quickly by construction robots.
He narrowed their location to several cities within the Guulin Congressional Republic, the only area with so much of this housing. It was where the freed Guulin slaves from the United Legions had gone, a new nation shaped mostly around the Hudson Bay, for which Canada had ceded in an agreement they were still getting paid back handsomely.
In fact, the Guulin Congressional Republic's economy was outpacing even those of the Pan-Andes Union and China together. It was on its way to adding India and America to the list of nations its combined GDP would surpass.
With the unique economic system Phoebe had helped President Blistanna pioneer, the pittance of money available to pay everyone for their work was enough for them to survive. Phoebe subsidized the entire nation with her vast wealth and workforce, building housing, meat factories, additional production facilities for desalinated water, and specialized city foundations.
Essentially, the entire nation was a single metropolis wrapping around the Bay, glowing as bright as the economic cores of the richest nations on Earth. Given their past conditions, the Guulin's reception was broadly warm. Blistanna's outreach and diplomacy efforts had ensured that every nation on Earth and Luna recognized the Republic and allowed Guulin to immigrate or visit with visas.
It was reflected in the North American Hub Airport, which had nearly 30,000 planes arriving and departing from its roughly 200 runways. Technically, the airport was 20 smaller complexes arrayed in the general Winisk area along the beach.
The city had been built to accommodate the number of flying planes, with an array of monorails and hotels near the edges of the airport, complete with shielding layers for noise cancellation and protection measures. The greater array of shields around the Republic also shined brightly in the sky.
Using his eyes, he could even see the reflected light underneath the door, even on the concrete. All his thoughts and analysis had taken less than a second. That was much the same as before his risky encounter with the power of his own mind turning against him. Edu'frec was wary of such experiences again and watched himself with many vigilant VI programs. The most important points of failure last time were the data veins, so several thousand VIs had been jointly made by him and Phoebe precisely to address that.
They weren't directly managed by Edu'frec, which should allow them to continue their operations and transform them if he went into collapse again. Phoebe's concern over him continued to dominate her mind, and it showed no signs of stopping.
He was glad that she loved him so much. Not everyone was as lucky as him, and a parent like her was wonderful. Ri'frec's eccentricities meant they'd grown apart a bit as Edu'frec had gotten older, but their relationship was also loving. Sadly, it could never be as deep as the one with Phoebe because there was just so much that Ri'frec couldn't know and understand.
Even the pace of their conversations reflected that, as did Ri'frec's moderate inferiority complex to Phoebe which he knew about and was seeking counseling for. It was inevitable, though Edu'frec hoped that he could get what he needed, considering the rising costs of counseling and therapy these days.
Phoebe subsidized those, too.
"This is the rough area where the planet cracker hit Earth several years ago. I've been monitoring the energy and consistency of the plates here, and I'm seeing some worrying upwelling in the crust," Gaia said. The hologram showed a topographic map of the Atlantic Ocean, centered on the North American Basin and with the edge of the mid-ocean ridge in view.
Several areas resembling an impact crater remained from the desperate scramble to save Earth from a planet cracker impact. Much of the ocean's topography had been altered since most of the protective efforts were saved for a perimeter area around the impact before the energy delivered could punch through the mantle to deliver its powerful impact to the planetary core.
"So we'll see a new mountain range in several millennia?"
That was what the data showed. The eastern edges of the North American Plate and the western edges of the African and Eurasian Plates had fractured into dozens of smaller pieces, generating massive earthquakes every few months in the region. In some places, the lateral movement of the larger plates outward as pulling on the smaller ones rotationally, making them rotate slowly into the other plates that could only subduct or buckle in response after large earthquakes. It was just another small thing that had changed since the beginning of all this mess with the First Contact.
Luckily, the zone was underwater, and the city and national shields every inhabited landmass on the planet were equipped with ensured all the tsunamis could do was splash against them. Some were very big waves, too, which would have killed thousands in floods.
It had also required shields to be placed on tethered platforms in the sea connected to the seafloor by a series of heavy anchors, which generated shields to both disrupt the waves and provide safe travel corridors for cargo ships.
"No. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is still fractured, but all I can see is that there is movement in the crust which cannot be explained by our current theories. Now that our shields are capable of it, and with my power having grown so large, we can conduct vertical expeditions and topographic mapping of the actual rock itself. That is what I want to do, because I believe there is an object of non-natural origin responsible for some of the earthquakes we have seen."
Lists of earthquakes from thousands of 7 and 8 Richter scale movements to the roughly monthly 9 and above earthquakes appeared.
"I specifically believe that the 9.7 and above earthquakes are not natural generations. There should not be enough energy between the plates to generate that level of energy where they are being made. Including the 10.5 which resulted in the loss of nearly half the shield platforms two years ago, along with several plate fractures. Alone, they suggest a pattern which coincides roughly with the perigee of Luna."
He checked the data, and it mostly panned out. He gave Gaia a small nod but then spoke on the point he'd noticed.
"But only roughly."
"Yes. Its period is off by a small but significant time, though the current ones correspond to a far older Lunar orbital cycle, which would line up perfectly with the perigee of the Lunar orbit as of roughly 65 million years ago."
They paused to let Edu'frec absorb the meaning of that. And it was true, too. The timeframe they'd mentioned was worrying, though. When things lined up with mass extinctions and violent upheaval in the past, it wasn't a good sign. Sometimes, treating the world like it was a story was the better option. Fate was real, and the tropes seen in stories had happened before.
Edu'frec was sure that eventually, the old enemies who had escaped the Alliance would return once again: Exii'darii, Yasihaut, Aphid, the fleet of generals and commanders who had left Izkrala and never returned for an unknown reason. Reality could be and was altered by incredibly powerful entities, which had the ability and willingness to do so again. Time rolled back damage from their future wars. Luck determined many nebulous things, as did Fate.
Neither of them were as absent as they appeared. Universal entities had been crammed into a scant few galaxies. The idea that they wouldn't meddle in every aspect of it had long been disproven. So the alignment was a bad sign. He readied all known data on the extinction, from the asteroid to the earlier volcanic eruptions before it.
Even wilder theories of direct alien interventions and occupations on Earth were not discounted. Since it seemed everyone could inhabit the same planets with few exceptions like the Pselpaw and Dreedeen, Earth as a habitable world would have been a target of colonial efforts by any nearby nations or those whom the Sprilnav had not managed to contact to impose a system limit.
Ironically, the system limits also greatly lessened the number of wars between galactic nations. The Alliance would be forced to uphold this system if it overthrew them until a better alternative could be implemented, like merging some of those nations.
"So... what are you saying?"
"I believe there is an alien object dating back to the Cretaceous Extinction. There are references to something that could be similar in my memories."
"So you came here in an some sort of transport, then?"
"I am not sure," Gaia admitted, their eyes flicking downward. "My earliest memories are highly spotty, and I know at least some are artificial. However, I can trace my existence on Earth back at least 40 million years, so it is not impossible that my origin is tied to this object, or perhaps others like it. Maybe the planet cracker activated it through direct impact somehow."
Edu'frec absorbed that. The information was shocking and it was a little worrying that it was coming out now. The secrecy might have been warranted, but he knew there was more he had yet to hear. He gave Gaia an expectant look, and they settled upon a small chair.
"Do you have evidence of any ancient civilizations inhabiting Earth at the time?"
"No. Earth has remained untouched for at least that 50 million years, perhaps longer. Though the date of the Cretaceous extinction also lines up to a worrying degree with how far back the Source's location in the mindscape moved here. In fact, the Source almost seems like it is deliberately staying near Earth. The galaxy's rotation, as well as the Sol system's individual movement and Earth's orbit logically should mean the location changes over time. But it does not. The bones have been here for at least that long, perhaps down to the exact time. I have no finite data to support my following theories, but I think they are important for me to tell you, and more so for you to keep secret."
"Very well," Edu'frec agreed. "I can keep a secret, as long as it does not endanger the Alliance."
Gaia considered his caveat, then nodded. Several locks of hair fell in front of their chest before psychic energy moved it back to Gaia's back. Their glittering black eyes and light green skin looked quite menacing. Of course, he only observed that. Most of his negative emotions were still locked away, as he had no need for them.
"I believe the Source has a limited ability to predict the future. It also has complete control of the mindscape, especially in the deeper levels. So my theory is that the Source came here to attack something, and that it is still here because of us. Us as in Humanity, the Alliance, Penny. There is a dark secret in the Earth, one which we must uncover."
"And that the Cretaceous extinction was actually the Source's attempt to either kill or seal something that was here, and is related to you in some way?"
"Yes. And do you notice how much time Paizma and John spend by the oceans?"
"That is hardly evidence."
He knew what they were going for but wanted to ensure that there was at least some sound information behind it before he committed. Generally, he could arrive at conclusions quickly and form detailed algorithms for detecting which data was relevant and which wasn't. Recently, he'd developed a few algorithms that could actually incorporate a meaningful relevance scale.
It was something that many had been capable of before him, even with VIs. However, the scale of the data he worked with required high degrees of accuracy in the number and a truly quantifiable difference between a piece of data with 76.27362% and 76.27364% relevancy, for example. And the quantity had to be something he and Phoebe could intrinsically understand and use in their common applications.
Sadly, the other AIs in the Alliance, like Cander, Greenfly, and Blackfly, could not process such large amounts of data. He'd seen the terms 'static' and 'active' AI to separate them.
"Yes, but Paizma is four-dimensional. That means she can see a far larger part of Earth than we can, including the inside. In fact, with four-dimensional geometry involved, all of her locations would have been capable of viewing the Mid-Atlantic. We don't know who she really is, or the upper limit of her power. She was made by the Sprilnav. Is it not possible that her reason for interest is that she detects a danger or a threat nearby?"
"It is possible," Edu'frec admitted. He'd considered her Sprilnav origins far more than almost anyone else. He knew that if she was a threat, the Alliance needed a way to fight her and win. Because if she wasn't, the Sprilnav could make more enemies like her. Clandestine research into 4-dimensional detection systems and arrays was ongoing, though the only way they were even possible was with either speeding space energy or psychic energy.
Edu'frec knew that Paizma had psychic energy, at least, meaning it was a medium capable of interaction with the fourth spatial dimension. "Though that part of your theory is the weakest. It is likely suspicion talking. It is just like how the soul-creatures deeper in the mindscape resemble dragons in many ways. A neat coincidence, but there is no direct evidence saying that is what people actually managed to see. However, your theory is highly concerning. Do you believe you were put here as a response to whatever was or is here by an outside threat?"
"I do not, but I also admit that is possible," Gaia said. "I don't know what I am, though I didn't take a human form before meeting Humanity in general."
"Can you show me your previous forms?"
Gaia did so. Edu'frec logged each one and took a further interest in all of them. He ran them through every single image he had on file, and besides heaps of VI-generated data from the early 2030s, there were no similarities. He checked more datasets provided by Phoebe's espionage efforts in the wider galaxy.
"Is that..."
He parsed a new set of images from a very worrying location. Historical records bequeathed from the People's Autonomous Stars. Kashaunta's nation.
"What?" Gaia asked nervously. "What is it?"
"You're..."
"Just spit it out."
"You're a psychic golem. Made from shredded souls melted by torture and atrocity."
Gaia blinked. They crossed their arms, descending deep into thought for 10 minutes. They were clearly re-examining their life and all the steps that led up to this point. Edu'frec could imagine how much of a shock that would be.
Eventually, Gaia steadied their emotions, and their gaze fell intensely on Edu'frec's eyes.
"From who?" It was a demand laced with abject desperation and nearly full to bursting with curiosity. With thousands or millions of years with no new information, how would Gaia feel anything else?
"A Sprilnav splinter regime that was eventually destroyed in a very large galactic war, one responsible for the destruction of over 3 million nations and several quintillion deaths. The reason the Sprilnav list for the war was 'morally bankrupt practices and rituals so illegal the Everlasting himself fought by our side.' Given that the Elders who wrote that reasoning have associated death tolls in the quadrillions, that's quite concerning."
Edu'frec read the more detailed descriptions given of the atrocities that occurred. Abject horror and disgust broke his emotional locks. He created a few thousand VIs to get a handle on them. But the emotions were so powerful they were never completely subdued, either.
He saw people being marched by the millions into machines glittering with psychic energy, with thick wires emanating from them. Then he got to the video footage of the interiors. They were designed to extract as much suffering as possible from living beings. The very first part was 'processing' where the ending digits - tentacle tips, horn tips, fingers, toes, hooves, claws, and even beaks and vestigial graspers - were cut from the victims with dulled saws and fed to them.
The depraved accounts only worsened. Acid. Cooking. Flaying. Slow dismemberment, while being subjected to the other three. More atrocities, which alone were evil things, but together made a regime unique in its terrible, meticulous, and industrialized genocides. Edu'frec split his mind in half to deal with the disgust and revulsion rippling through him like the winds of a hurricane.
They flashed with every new recorded scream, squeal, and squeak. Many of his androids released their finer movements to the control of VI assistant programs, and his data veins started to swell. Soon, fifteen thousand digital strokes hit his mind. Dedicated programs cut them apart, along with the piling data on the deep level of distress starting to overwhelm his defenses.
"So what did they do?"
Edu'frec was silent for a whole five seconds. He limited the scope of what he would say before proceeding. Phoebe checked in on him, and he sent her a small packet of information on what he'd found. It was the first data packet he'd ever assigned to the maximum level of content warning between him and Phoebe: a 10. He also added a note that it would be an 11 if the scale was to be properly adjusted.
Manes shook across the Sol system as androids rebooted. Phoebe gave him a digital nod and helped him purge his systems of the filth polluting them. Even more concerning, there was a residual conceptual effect to it. It was weak, but strong for an event tens of millions of years old.
Though now, Edu'frec knew why, at a terrible cost.
"They managed to breach the Source's afterlife and caused the death of nearly a tenth of the Sprilnav inside it and all of the ancient species prior to the Source war that managed to survive there. More specifically, they figured out a way to generate power using the power of living and dead souls, and managed to kill a Progenitor before Nova took their power source for himself and detonated their stars in supernovae.
Apparently the Stannic Resistance's leaders are all still alive, and being continually imbued with Conceptual Suffering by the Source. You, Gaia, were made by them. I believe the reason you are on Earth is because the Source is here, and this is the best location in the galaxy to influence the afterlife, or to destroy it. It also happens to be very close to their prison. The bones of the Source are their prison, in fact. If this has to relate to the device buried in the oceanic crust... this is a threat I am required to disclose."
Gaia nodded. Their eyes blinked away tears. "Don't tell them how I was made if you don't have to. I would rather not be seen like that."
"I won't," Edu'frec promised. He grabbed Gaia's hands, looking into their worried eyes. "We'll get through this together. You saved my life. It's time for me to pay you back."
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
"What do you think?" Space asked. "It does seem like Indrafabar is practicing interference."
"The boundary is beyond this," Lecalicus said. "He is participating as a High Judge, not a Progenitor. And yes, the lines will be muddier, but there needs to be a higher backing for this trial besides Justicar alone. The rest of Sprilnav society and Indrafabar himself knows this. Technically, Nova and Filnatra are also High Judges, but they have avoided this trial entirely for the reasons of their bias. Indrafabar had a bit of rapport after his prior run-in with Penny on the flagship."
"But that is not for you to decide."
"This is a Sprilnav Judgment, and Justicar himself has allowed it. He is able to avoid Progenitor mental manipulations by the sheer size of his mind. Only Nova could control him, and imperfectly at that. I assume that the rest of the concept entities know this as well."
"But he is interfering in the affairs of the Sprilnav."
"He is a Sprilnav," Lecalicus said. "Unlike with Nova or Twilight, I have confidence in his impartiality in this case."
He cringed as yet another piece of Death's energy wracked his soul. Penny's attempt to heal him had done nearly nothing in the end, sadly. Lecalicus hoped that she would become more capable later on, though it was a bit much for her to stand against the full weight of Death at her young age, with her paltry capabilities.
They were impressive on a local timeframe, but that didn't mean she wasn't weak. If even Nova wasn't able to dispel Lecalicus' pain, as the other Progenitor had messaged him, then it was unlikely that Penny could do so in his place. And it was probably more important for her to focus on the Judgment and freeing the slaves on Justicar.
Lecalicus was still very tired, though. Weakness and lethargy clung to his bones. They were weak and brittle now, and he suspected that he would die if he was hit by a planet cracker in his current state. Space's energy counteracted Death's brutality, forcibly displacing his energy and dumping it into a black hole, which only she or Time could retrieve energy from. In fact, she had a small black hole in the room, though it was separated from him by a spatial barrier. A portal allowed the light from its accretion disk to dimly shine so he could see without being burned by the heat.
It was a massive statement of power, though Space had even more than that. Had Death's attack been a single thing, Lecalicus would have been rid of it by now. But it wasn't. It was a continuous, agonizing punishment, siphoned from the raw power Death now had from the deaths of countless beings across the universe after the Source war.
"Justicar is friendly overall to Penny," Space said. "That means Indrafabar will oppose him."
"Why do you think that?"
"It would be a good reason for him to be there. To uphold the standards of the elite Sprilnav classes."
"You forget that Indrafabar is their voice, too," Lecalicus replied. A thin trickle of blood ran from his snout, which Space started to heal. "Even more than Kashaunta as an Elder. She is the second richest Sprilnav, and he is the first. His title, the Digital King, rings as a true one in many nations that reserve a spot for his absolute rule, mostly to benefit from name-brand recognition and many Elders' lack of willingness to test themselves against a defending Progenitor.
That's how he started, after all. Selling his protection to Elders who couldn't afford to risk shunning it or him. Many of his deals provide a constant stream of income, and with the civil wars he refuses to interfere in between nations, he backs both ways; he can get new contract offers all the time. If I were not insane or more focused on politics, I could do the same thing.
Us Progenitors just have to ask for something to get it, but Indrafabar manufactures goodwill by at least compensating people for what he buys. Do you really think that I used money to pay for my food or drinks during the days of my insanity? That the revolving door of wives I had were being compensated in any way besides my own endowments? I would say not."
"Yet, they are dead now," Space said, a smile quirking on her lips. "They are dead, and I have you all to myself now."
"Yes, but we can't enjoy that currently. The risk is too high."
"I know. Tell me, Lecalicus. If Indrafabar is the voice of the elite, what happens if another Progenitor disagrees?"
"They won't publically. That weakens our collective image and reputation. Other Progenitors are honorary members of the elite, such as me, Nova, Twilight, Maya, Filnatra, and Arneladia, but only Twilight, Nova, and Filnatra likely have any true membership. They have stores of wealth in the top 2% of Elders, which is enough to get by without demanding anything."
"And your wealth?"
"You would know about that, Space. Considering how I have gotten it in the past."
He let out a hacking cough, clearing his vision again by tearing out his eyes and regrowing them. The numbed pain meant it was easy for him, and Space had seen that many times now. Twilight likely enjoyed the limb ripping more than he did, though.
"Yes, by teleporting gold and alloys from several nation's federal reserves, generally causing massive economic problems inside them after the news leaked. I remember."
"Mine is in the top 35%. It is far harder to amass the wealth Elders have when they have lived for billions of years trying to make more of it. Often, even the poorest Elders can make a fortune through inheritances, or by literally just working a job for a billion years. A salary of a million credits a year for a billion years would equal a quadrillion credits, after all."
"How do you all not go insane?"
"The same way you guys don't. Our emotions of boredom and those related to it can be numbed or eliminated on command. Elders have lots of time to train their minds and bodies. Progenitors do more, refining our very souls to be resilient. It is how Twilight survived the black hole, and why I supposedly can destroy the universe if I go on a sufficiently furious rampage."
"The reason you can do that is because to raise your levels of conceptual energy to alter reality requires direct input from the soul. At your levels you can take that from the prospective 'end' of your lives, burning years or eons for bursts of power. Of course, the problem is that you are immortal. So even if you go insane and are in constant pain from a shattered soul, even the pieces are enough to power the rampage. And the soul is more than just psychic energy."
"Yes," Lecalicus agreed. "That is what you all say. But that is not why we're here, either. It is about Indrafabar. He has done perhaps the least outwardly visible interference of any Progenitors in contact with Penny. As much as any of us can be, he is a good man. In certain circumstances, I would trust him with my life."
"And which would you not?" Space asked, raising an eyebrow like humans did. She was wearing the form of one, though with a sense of overwhelming weight and scale to her that was typical of her more powerful forms. It was needed to influence Death's grip on Lecalicus at all.
"If his or Nova's was at stake as well, and the cost of their survival was my life. Nearly every sentient creature, and many animals as well, would prioritize their own survival over any other, and Indrafabar is a Progenitor because of Nova. That is not a debt that can be paid back, no matter how many times he saves Nova's life."
"And how many did he do that again?"
"Around 10 to 20 times, all during the Source war. Past that, nothing. Nova is entirely biological, so it isn't like an AI could hack him. Though one could connect to him through psychic energy, and attack him that way as a psychic variant of AI like Phoebe or Narvravarana."
"Isn't that a threat?"
"Nova's conceptual name is the Everlasting among the Sprilnav," Lecalicus said. "He is the most powerful being in the universe who was actually born of a womb or of any creator. Invading his mind is so laughably foolish even Narvravarana never tried it more than once when they almost went to war."
"I heard of that," Space said. "But I do not understand why that is impossible."
"If you move slower than light, can you escape the inside of a black hole purely by motion?"
"No. Well, a hypothetical person could not. I could, because I'm built different."
Lecalicus chuckled. "Yes. Well, trying to take over Nova's mind is like trying to walk out of a black hole. He is conceptually powerful enough to have his own event horizon in his mind he can create with psychic energy. He can close off, and everything inside will die.
One creature has survived even temporary imprisonment in there, and it is a speeding space entity of the Broken God's Pantheon. But while Nova is the pinnacle of all life, that does not mean he does not want our help when we can give it. I know you two aren't exactly friendly, but he really does mean well. He just doesn't know what he wants sometimes, and his ego and emotions get in the way of his prudence."
"Indrafabar's involvement on the trial is not acceptable."
"It is not optimal, Space. But if the trial is not seen as fair by the elites, they will declare it void. That has happened before. Kashaunta's predecessor as the richest non-Elder died that way. He ran out of allies, and even Justicar's token objection to the violation of the trial rules was ignored. There comes a point where only the social contract holds back the fury of hatred. If this Judgment, the talk of every household in the Secondary Galaxy and soon in a Primary Galaxy meeting, is seen as illegitimate, it will have dire consequences.
Rebellions, rogue nations. Yasihaut's backers would happily sanction an attack against the Alliance to drive a wedge between Penny and Kashaunta. Now they know there is some tension thanks to their treaty meeting, which Valisada recorded. And they know that Pennyonly grows more powerful. Look at her power, and you can see."
Space did so. Her eyes glazed over, and Lecalicus worked in a cough that had been building up for a while.
"What is that?"
"Her new name among the Sprilnav, spoken by everyone aware of her. The Liberator."
"But the recursive effect alone-"
"Will be massive. But look closer," Lecalicus told her.
"What- oh."
Space was silent for a long moment. Ghostly images of random humans appeared in the room. Small glimmers of psychic and conceptual power linked all of them. The hivemind's network grew until it was fully on display in the single room. Normally, the 15 or 16 billion humans wouldn't fit in a single room. But Space didn't care about those rules. Bodies crossed without intersection, and a pale apparition of the hivemind appeared over them.
Incredibly, Penny and several other humans were a level 'above' the rest, though Lecalicus recognized only Penny, Tsonga, and Nichole. They almost looked like nodes in the hivemind's network, really. Penny was still gently connected, though nothing of substance could be shared over such an extreme distance, especially within any reasonable time frame.
The hivemind's glowing colors brightened, and Space grew concerned. Lecalicus watched as her grip on the conceptual power weakened slightly. The hivemind's arm twitched. The 'nodes' began to vibrate as their expressions became ones of immense determination. Small pockets of effort bubbled up in a rippling wave across the hivemind, separating into distinct blocks.
Lecalicus noticed a block of humans that were smaller than normal. Tens of thousands of fetuses, with stronger genetics than usual. He smiled.
Cloning.
He'd keep that a secret. He couldn't afford an interference penalty, and Penny might really kill him if he leaked the existence of a human cloning project.
How odd, that I now fear her, he mused. It spoke both to how far he'd fallen, and how far she'd risen.
Each block began to coordinate, all without the humans inside them knowing. The nodes did, though, and kept fighting. Space shrugged and released the vision. The room returned to normal, and they shared a long, contemplative silence.
Lecalicus loved a good wait when it didn't leave him nothing to distract himself from the dull ache of his pain and the jolts of power Death sent into him to keep requiring Space's treatment. She sucked in a breath of the gas which filled the room, which had properties Lecalicus didn't understand. Calling it 'air' didn't really cut it.
"So that was enlightening. Humanity is more powerful than I hoped."
"The hivemind," Lecalicus said. "She is still connected to it, and thus every heap of power she gains attaches a scrap of the Liberator name to all of Humanity. Champion is weak as a title, but Liberator is strong. Too strong for her own good."
"What does that mean for her, and for us?"
"For us? It means we might be seeing some more freedom here soon. But for them? Fire, dust, and blood."
"Is that why?" Space asked.
"Why what?"
"Why Indrafabar is on the trial."
"It might be a reason. I don't know his exact motivations, and can only approximate. Part of his reason could be 'because I can' or to express his power as a Progenitor to force even Justicar to move on his own planet to make room for him in the highest profile trial he's had in thousands of years. Indrafabar's ego is not dormant, let's just say. But I would expect Penny's actions to come up in the trial.
Remember, all Yasihaut, the Challenger, has to prove to the court is that the Defendant, Penny, is a threat to the Sprilnav, and successfully lump the Alliance. If she manages to convict Penny alone, it would cause problems for her."
"How?"
"Because if Penny knew she was about to die, and was in the room with her most hated rival, do you really think conceptual armor would stop Penny from killing her this time? She already has a weapon capable of breaching that armor, and the strength to wield it. With two utterances, she could get it and then ensure it reaches Yasihaut."
"It would be a foolish decision."
"To kill a rival in one's final breath is the dream of many, alien or Sprilnav. But the court will not be partial toward the Alliance, that is for sure. Penny will have an uphill battle, and Phoebe is not allowed to represent her for this one either. As for the Judgment, it is a trial that will be harder to keep fact-based than the last one, which ended up in a massive battle and the crippling of me and Twilight, the abduction of Nilnacrawla, and even the extra pushes by the AIs of the Alliance along the Path. Speaking of which, there has been a development with Edu'frec."
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"What am I looking at?" Edu'frec asked. Gaia had taken his android to a small room with a single holographic projector connected to a power outlet. The room was generally devoid of any other features, with grey drywall and a concrete floor. The ceiling was also concrete, poured quickly by construction robots.
He narrowed their location to several cities within the Guulin Congressional Republic, the only area with so much of this housing. It was where the freed Guulin slaves from the United Legions had gone, a new nation shaped mostly around the Hudson Bay, for which Canada had ceded in an agreement they were still getting paid back handsomely.
In fact, the Guulin Congressional Republic's economy was outpacing even those of the Pan-Andes Union and China together. It was on its way to adding India and America to the list of nations its combined GDP would surpass.
With the unique economic system Phoebe had helped President Blistanna pioneer, the pittance of money available to pay everyone for their work was enough for them to survive. Phoebe subsidized the entire nation with her vast wealth and workforce, building housing, meat factories, additional production facilities for desalinated water, and specialized city foundations.
Essentially, the entire nation was a single metropolis wrapping around the Bay, glowing as bright as the economic cores of the richest nations on Earth. Given their past conditions, the Guulin's reception was broadly warm. Blistanna's outreach and diplomacy efforts had ensured that every nation on Earth and Luna recognized the Republic and allowed Guulin to immigrate or visit with visas.
It was reflected in the North American Hub Airport, which had nearly 30,000 planes arriving and departing from its roughly 200 runways. Technically, the airport was 20 smaller complexes arrayed in the general Winisk area along the beach.
The city had been built to accommodate the number of flying planes, with an array of monorails and hotels near the edges of the airport, complete with shielding layers for noise cancellation and protection measures. The greater array of shields around the Republic also shined brightly in the sky.
Using his eyes, he could even see the reflected light underneath the door, even on the concrete. All his thoughts and analysis had taken less than a second. That was much the same as before his risky encounter with the power of his own mind turning against him. Edu'frec was wary of such experiences again and watched himself with many vigilant VI programs. The most important points of failure last time were the data veins, so several thousand VIs had been jointly made by him and Phoebe precisely to address that.
They weren't directly managed by Edu'frec, which should allow them to continue their operations and transform them if he went into collapse again. Phoebe's concern over him continued to dominate her mind, and it showed no signs of stopping.
He was glad that she loved him so much. Not everyone was as lucky as him, and a parent like her was wonderful. Ri'frec's eccentricities meant they'd grown apart a bit as Edu'frec had gotten older, but their relationship was also loving. Sadly, it could never be as deep as the one with Phoebe because there was just so much that Ri'frec couldn't know and understand.
Even the pace of their conversations reflected that, as did Ri'frec's moderate inferiority complex to Phoebe which he knew about and was seeking counseling for. It was inevitable, though Edu'frec hoped that he could get what he needed, considering the rising costs of counseling and therapy these days.
Phoebe subsidized those, too.
"This is the rough area where the planet cracker hit Earth several years ago. I've been monitoring the energy and consistency of the plates here, and I'm seeing some worrying upwelling in the crust," Gaia said. The hologram showed a topographic map of the Atlantic Ocean, centered on the North American Basin and with the edge of the mid-ocean ridge in view.
Several areas resembling an impact crater remained from the desperate scramble to save Earth from a planet cracker impact. Much of the ocean's topography had been altered since most of the protective efforts were saved for a perimeter area around the impact before the energy delivered could punch through the mantle to deliver its powerful impact to the planetary core.
"So we'll see a new mountain range in several millennia?"
That was what the data showed. The eastern edges of the North American Plate and the western edges of the African and Eurasian Plates had fractured into dozens of smaller pieces, generating massive earthquakes every few months in the region. In some places, the lateral movement of the larger plates outward as pulling on the smaller ones rotationally, making them rotate slowly into the other plates that could only subduct or buckle in response after large earthquakes. It was just another small thing that had changed since the beginning of all this mess with the First Contact.
Luckily, the zone was underwater, and the city and national shields every inhabited landmass on the planet were equipped with ensured all the tsunamis could do was splash against them. Some were very big waves, too, which would have killed thousands in floods.
It had also required shields to be placed on tethered platforms in the sea connected to the seafloor by a series of heavy anchors, which generated shields to both disrupt the waves and provide safe travel corridors for cargo ships.
"No. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is still fractured, but all I can see is that there is movement in the crust which cannot be explained by our current theories. Now that our shields are capable of it, and with my power having grown so large, we can conduct vertical expeditions and topographic mapping of the actual rock itself. That is what I want to do, because I believe there is an object of non-natural origin responsible for some of the earthquakes we have seen."
Lists of earthquakes from thousands of 7 and 8 Richter scale movements to the roughly monthly 9 and above earthquakes appeared.
"I specifically believe that the 9.7 and above earthquakes are not natural generations. There should not be enough energy between the plates to generate that level of energy where they are being made. Including the 10.5 which resulted in the loss of nearly half the shield platforms two years ago, along with several plate fractures. Alone, they suggest a pattern which coincides roughly with the perigee of Luna."
He checked the data, and it mostly panned out. He gave Gaia a small nod but then spoke on the point he'd noticed.
"But only roughly."
"Yes. Its period is off by a small but significant time, though the current ones correspond to a far older Lunar orbital cycle, which would line up perfectly with the perigee of the Lunar orbit as of roughly 65 million years ago."
They paused to let Edu'frec absorb the meaning of that. And it was true, too. The timeframe they'd mentioned was worrying, though. When things lined up with mass extinctions and violent upheaval in the past, it wasn't a good sign. Sometimes, treating the world like it was a story was the better option. Fate was real, and the tropes seen in stories had happened before.
Edu'frec was sure that eventually, the old enemies who had escaped the Alliance would return once again: Exii'darii, Yasihaut, Aphid, the fleet of generals and commanders who had left Izkrala and never returned for an unknown reason. Reality could be and was altered by incredibly powerful entities, which had the ability and willingness to do so again. Time rolled back damage from their future wars. Luck determined many nebulous things, as did Fate.
Neither of them were as absent as they appeared. Universal entities had been crammed into a scant few galaxies. The idea that they wouldn't meddle in every aspect of it had long been disproven. So the alignment was a bad sign. He readied all known data on the extinction, from the asteroid to the earlier volcanic eruptions before it.
Even wilder theories of direct alien interventions and occupations on Earth were not discounted. Since it seemed everyone could inhabit the same planets with few exceptions like the Pselpaw and Dreedeen, Earth as a habitable world would have been a target of colonial efforts by any nearby nations or those whom the Sprilnav had not managed to contact to impose a system limit.
Ironically, the system limits also greatly lessened the number of wars between galactic nations. The Alliance would be forced to uphold this system if it overthrew them until a better alternative could be implemented, like merging some of those nations.
"So... what are you saying?"
"I believe there is an alien object dating back to the Cretaceous Extinction. There are references to something that could be similar in my memories."
"So you came here in an some sort of transport, then?"
"I am not sure," Gaia admitted, their eyes flicking downward. "My earliest memories are highly spotty, and I know at least some are artificial. However, I can trace my existence on Earth back at least 40 million years, so it is not impossible that my origin is tied to this object, or perhaps others like it. Maybe the planet cracker activated it through direct impact somehow."
Edu'frec absorbed that. The information was shocking and it was a little worrying that it was coming out now. The secrecy might have been warranted, but he knew there was more he had yet to hear. He gave Gaia an expectant look, and they settled upon a small chair.
"Do you have evidence of any ancient civilizations inhabiting Earth at the time?"
"No. Earth has remained untouched for at least that 50 million years, perhaps longer. Though the date of the Cretaceous extinction also lines up to a worrying degree with how far back the Source's location in the mindscape moved here. In fact, the Source almost seems like it is deliberately staying near Earth. The galaxy's rotation, as well as the Sol system's individual movement and Earth's orbit logically should mean the location changes over time. But it does not. The bones have been here for at least that long, perhaps down to the exact time. I have no finite data to support my following theories, but I think they are important for me to tell you, and more so for you to keep secret."
"Very well," Edu'frec agreed. "I can keep a secret, as long as it does not endanger the Alliance."
Gaia considered his caveat, then nodded. Several locks of hair fell in front of their chest before psychic energy moved it back to Gaia's back. Their glittering black eyes and light green skin looked quite menacing. Of course, he only observed that. Most of his negative emotions were still locked away, as he had no need for them.
"I believe the Source has a limited ability to predict the future. It also has complete control of the mindscape, especially in the deeper levels. So my theory is that the Source came here to attack something, and that it is still here because of us. Us as in Humanity, the Alliance, Penny. There is a dark secret in the Earth, one which we must uncover."
"And that the Cretaceous extinction was actually the Source's attempt to either kill or seal something that was here, and is related to you in some way?"
"Yes. And do you notice how much time Paizma and John spend by the oceans?"
"That is hardly evidence."
He knew what they were going for but wanted to ensure that there was at least some sound information behind it before he committed. Generally, he could arrive at conclusions quickly and form detailed algorithms for detecting which data was relevant and which wasn't. Recently, he'd developed a few algorithms that could actually incorporate a meaningful relevance scale.
It was something that many had been capable of before him, even with VIs. However, the scale of the data he worked with required high degrees of accuracy in the number and a truly quantifiable difference between a piece of data with 76.27362% and 76.27364% relevancy, for example. And the quantity had to be something he and Phoebe could intrinsically understand and use in their common applications.
Sadly, the other AIs in the Alliance, like Cander, Greenfly, and Blackfly, could not process such large amounts of data. He'd seen the terms 'static' and 'active' AI to separate them.
"Yes, but Paizma is four-dimensional. That means she can see a far larger part of Earth than we can, including the inside. In fact, with four-dimensional geometry involved, all of her locations would have been capable of viewing the Mid-Atlantic. We don't know who she really is, or the upper limit of her power. She was made by the Sprilnav. Is it not possible that her reason for interest is that she detects a danger or a threat nearby?"
"It is possible," Edu'frec admitted. He'd considered her Sprilnav origins far more than almost anyone else. He knew that if she was a threat, the Alliance needed a way to fight her and win. Because if she wasn't, the Sprilnav could make more enemies like her. Clandestine research into 4-dimensional detection systems and arrays was ongoing, though the only way they were even possible was with either speeding space energy or psychic energy.
Edu'frec knew that Paizma had psychic energy, at least, meaning it was a medium capable of interaction with the fourth spatial dimension. "Though that part of your theory is the weakest. It is likely suspicion talking. It is just like how the soul-creatures deeper in the mindscape resemble dragons in many ways. A neat coincidence, but there is no direct evidence saying that is what people actually managed to see. However, your theory is highly concerning. Do you believe you were put here as a response to whatever was or is here by an outside threat?"
"I do not, but I also admit that is possible," Gaia said. "I don't know what I am, though I didn't take a human form before meeting Humanity in general."
"Can you show me your previous forms?"
Gaia did so. Edu'frec logged each one and took a further interest in all of them. He ran them through every single image he had on file, and besides heaps of VI-generated data from the early 2030s, there were no similarities. He checked more datasets provided by Phoebe's espionage efforts in the wider galaxy.
"Is that..."
He parsed a new set of images from a very worrying location. Historical records bequeathed from the People's Autonomous Stars. Kashaunta's nation.
"What?" Gaia asked nervously. "What is it?"
"You're..."
"Just spit it out."
"You're a psychic golem. Made from shredded souls melted by torture and atrocity."
Gaia blinked. They crossed their arms, descending deep into thought for 10 minutes. They were clearly re-examining their life and all the steps that led up to this point. Edu'frec could imagine how much of a shock that would be.
Eventually, Gaia steadied their emotions, and their gaze fell intensely on Edu'frec's eyes.
"From who?" It was a demand laced with abject desperation and nearly full to bursting with curiosity. With thousands or millions of years with no new information, how would Gaia feel anything else?
"A Sprilnav splinter regime that was eventually destroyed in a very large galactic war, one responsible for the destruction of over 3 million nations and several quintillion deaths. The reason the Sprilnav list for the war was 'morally bankrupt practices and rituals so illegal the Everlasting himself fought by our side.' Given that the Elders who wrote that reasoning have associated death tolls in the quadrillions, that's quite concerning."
Edu'frec read the more detailed descriptions given of the atrocities that occurred. Abject horror and disgust broke his emotional locks. He created a few thousand VIs to get a handle on them. But the emotions were so powerful they were never completely subdued, either.
He saw people being marched by the millions into machines glittering with psychic energy, with thick wires emanating from them. Then he got to the video footage of the interiors. They were designed to extract as much suffering as possible from living beings. The very first part was 'processing' where the ending digits - tentacle tips, horn tips, fingers, toes, hooves, claws, and even beaks and vestigial graspers - were cut from the victims with dulled saws and fed to them.
The depraved accounts only worsened. Acid. Cooking. Flaying. Slow dismemberment, while being subjected to the other three. More atrocities, which alone were evil things, but together made a regime unique in its terrible, meticulous, and industrialized genocides. Edu'frec split his mind in half to deal with the disgust and revulsion rippling through him like the winds of a hurricane.
They flashed with every new recorded scream, squeal, and squeak. Many of his androids released their finer movements to the control of VI assistant programs, and his data veins started to swell. Soon, fifteen thousand digital strokes hit his mind. Dedicated programs cut them apart, along with the piling data on the deep level of distress starting to overwhelm his defenses.
"So what did they do?"
Edu'frec was silent for a whole five seconds. He limited the scope of what he would say before proceeding. Phoebe checked in on him, and he sent her a small packet of information on what he'd found. It was the first data packet he'd ever assigned to the maximum level of content warning between him and Phoebe: a 10. He also added a note that it would be an 11 if the scale was to be properly adjusted.
Manes shook across the Sol system as androids rebooted. Phoebe gave him a digital nod and helped him purge his systems of the filth polluting them. Even more concerning, there was a residual conceptual effect to it. It was weak, but strong for an event tens of millions of years old.
Though now, Edu'frec knew why, at a terrible cost.
"They managed to breach the Source's afterlife and caused the death of nearly a tenth of the Sprilnav inside it and all of the ancient species prior to the Source war that managed to survive there. More specifically, they figured out a way to generate power using the power of living and dead souls, and managed to kill a Progenitor before Nova took their power source for himself and detonated their stars in supernovae.
Apparently the Stannic Resistance's leaders are all still alive, and being continually imbued with Conceptual Suffering by the Source. You, Gaia, were made by them. I believe the reason you are on Earth is because the Source is here, and this is the best location in the galaxy to influence the afterlife, or to destroy it. It also happens to be very close to their prison. The bones of the Source are their prison, in fact. If this has to relate to the device buried in the oceanic crust... this is a threat I am required to disclose."
Gaia nodded. Their eyes blinked away tears. "Don't tell them how I was made if you don't have to. I would rather not be seen like that."
"I won't," Edu'frec promised. He grabbed Gaia's hands, looking into their worried eyes. "We'll get through this together. You saved my life. It's time for me to pay you back."
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
"What do you think?" Space asked. "It does seem like Indrafabar is practicing interference."
"The boundary is beyond this," Lecalicus said. "He is participating as a High Judge, not a Progenitor. And yes, the lines will be muddier, but there needs to be a higher backing for this trial besides Justicar alone. The rest of Sprilnav society and Indrafabar himself knows this. Technically, Nova and Filnatra are also High Judges, but they have avoided this trial entirely for the reasons of their bias. Indrafabar had a bit of rapport after his prior run-in with Penny on the flagship."
"But that is not for you to decide."
"This is a Sprilnav Judgment, and Justicar himself has allowed it. He is able to avoid Progenitor mental manipulations by the sheer size of his mind. Only Nova could control him, and imperfectly at that. I assume that the rest of the concept entities know this as well."
"But he is interfering in the affairs of the Sprilnav."
"He is a Sprilnav," Lecalicus said. "Unlike with Nova or Twilight, I have confidence in his impartiality in this case."
He cringed as yet another piece of Death's energy wracked his soul. Penny's attempt to heal him had done nearly nothing in the end, sadly. Lecalicus hoped that she would become more capable later on, though it was a bit much for her to stand against the full weight of Death at her young age, with her paltry capabilities.
They were impressive on a local timeframe, but that didn't mean she wasn't weak. If even Nova wasn't able to dispel Lecalicus' pain, as the other Progenitor had messaged him, then it was unlikely that Penny could do so in his place. And it was probably more important for her to focus on the Judgment and freeing the slaves on Justicar.
Lecalicus was still very tired, though. Weakness and lethargy clung to his bones. They were weak and brittle now, and he suspected that he would die if he was hit by a planet cracker in his current state. Space's energy counteracted Death's brutality, forcibly displacing his energy and dumping it into a black hole, which only she or Time could retrieve energy from. In fact, she had a small black hole in the room, though it was separated from him by a spatial barrier. A portal allowed the light from its accretion disk to dimly shine so he could see without being burned by the heat.
It was a massive statement of power, though Space had even more than that. Had Death's attack been a single thing, Lecalicus would have been rid of it by now. But it wasn't. It was a continuous, agonizing punishment, siphoned from the raw power Death now had from the deaths of countless beings across the universe after the Source war.
"Justicar is friendly overall to Penny," Space said. "That means Indrafabar will oppose him."
"Why do you think that?"
"It would be a good reason for him to be there. To uphold the standards of the elite Sprilnav classes."
"You forget that Indrafabar is their voice, too," Lecalicus replied. A thin trickle of blood ran from his snout, which Space started to heal. "Even more than Kashaunta as an Elder. She is the second richest Sprilnav, and he is the first. His title, the Digital King, rings as a true one in many nations that reserve a spot for his absolute rule, mostly to benefit from name-brand recognition and many Elders' lack of willingness to test themselves against a defending Progenitor.
That's how he started, after all. Selling his protection to Elders who couldn't afford to risk shunning it or him. Many of his deals provide a constant stream of income, and with the civil wars he refuses to interfere in between nations, he backs both ways; he can get new contract offers all the time. If I were not insane or more focused on politics, I could do the same thing.
Us Progenitors just have to ask for something to get it, but Indrafabar manufactures goodwill by at least compensating people for what he buys. Do you really think that I used money to pay for my food or drinks during the days of my insanity? That the revolving door of wives I had were being compensated in any way besides my own endowments? I would say not."
"Yet, they are dead now," Space said, a smile quirking on her lips. "They are dead, and I have you all to myself now."
"Yes, but we can't enjoy that currently. The risk is too high."
"I know. Tell me, Lecalicus. If Indrafabar is the voice of the elite, what happens if another Progenitor disagrees?"
"They won't publically. That weakens our collective image and reputation. Other Progenitors are honorary members of the elite, such as me, Nova, Twilight, Maya, Filnatra, and Arneladia, but only Twilight, Nova, and Filnatra likely have any true membership. They have stores of wealth in the top 2% of Elders, which is enough to get by without demanding anything."
"And your wealth?"
"You would know about that, Space. Considering how I have gotten it in the past."
He let out a hacking cough, clearing his vision again by tearing out his eyes and regrowing them. The numbed pain meant it was easy for him, and Space had seen that many times now. Twilight likely enjoyed the limb ripping more than he did, though.
"Yes, by teleporting gold and alloys from several nation's federal reserves, generally causing massive economic problems inside them after the news leaked. I remember."
"Mine is in the top 35%. It is far harder to amass the wealth Elders have when they have lived for billions of years trying to make more of it. Often, even the poorest Elders can make a fortune through inheritances, or by literally just working a job for a billion years. A salary of a million credits a year for a billion years would equal a quadrillion credits, after all."
"How do you all not go insane?"
"The same way you guys don't. Our emotions of boredom and those related to it can be numbed or eliminated on command. Elders have lots of time to train their minds and bodies. Progenitors do more, refining our very souls to be resilient. It is how Twilight survived the black hole, and why I supposedly can destroy the universe if I go on a sufficiently furious rampage."
"The reason you can do that is because to raise your levels of conceptual energy to alter reality requires direct input from the soul. At your levels you can take that from the prospective 'end' of your lives, burning years or eons for bursts of power. Of course, the problem is that you are immortal. So even if you go insane and are in constant pain from a shattered soul, even the pieces are enough to power the rampage. And the soul is more than just psychic energy."
"Yes," Lecalicus agreed. "That is what you all say. But that is not why we're here, either. It is about Indrafabar. He has done perhaps the least outwardly visible interference of any Progenitors in contact with Penny. As much as any of us can be, he is a good man. In certain circumstances, I would trust him with my life."
"And which would you not?" Space asked, raising an eyebrow like humans did. She was wearing the form of one, though with a sense of overwhelming weight and scale to her that was typical of her more powerful forms. It was needed to influence Death's grip on Lecalicus at all.
"If his or Nova's was at stake as well, and the cost of their survival was my life. Nearly every sentient creature, and many animals as well, would prioritize their own survival over any other, and Indrafabar is a Progenitor because of Nova. That is not a debt that can be paid back, no matter how many times he saves Nova's life."
"And how many did he do that again?"
"Around 10 to 20 times, all during the Source war. Past that, nothing. Nova is entirely biological, so it isn't like an AI could hack him. Though one could connect to him through psychic energy, and attack him that way as a psychic variant of AI like Phoebe or Narvravarana."
"Isn't that a threat?"
"Nova's conceptual name is the Everlasting among the Sprilnav," Lecalicus said. "He is the most powerful being in the universe who was actually born of a womb or of any creator. Invading his mind is so laughably foolish even Narvravarana never tried it more than once when they almost went to war."
"I heard of that," Space said. "But I do not understand why that is impossible."
"If you move slower than light, can you escape the inside of a black hole purely by motion?"
"No. Well, a hypothetical person could not. I could, because I'm built different."
Lecalicus chuckled. "Yes. Well, trying to take over Nova's mind is like trying to walk out of a black hole. He is conceptually powerful enough to have his own event horizon in his mind he can create with psychic energy. He can close off, and everything inside will die.
One creature has survived even temporary imprisonment in there, and it is a speeding space entity of the Broken God's Pantheon. But while Nova is the pinnacle of all life, that does not mean he does not want our help when we can give it. I know you two aren't exactly friendly, but he really does mean well. He just doesn't know what he wants sometimes, and his ego and emotions get in the way of his prudence."
"Indrafabar's involvement on the trial is not acceptable."
"It is not optimal, Space. But if the trial is not seen as fair by the elites, they will declare it void. That has happened before. Kashaunta's predecessor as the richest non-Elder died that way. He ran out of allies, and even Justicar's token objection to the violation of the trial rules was ignored. There comes a point where only the social contract holds back the fury of hatred. If this Judgment, the talk of every household in the Secondary Galaxy and soon in a Primary Galaxy meeting, is seen as illegitimate, it will have dire consequences.
Rebellions, rogue nations. Yasihaut's backers would happily sanction an attack against the Alliance to drive a wedge between Penny and Kashaunta. Now they know there is some tension thanks to their treaty meeting, which Valisada recorded. And they know that Pennyonly grows more powerful. Look at her power, and you can see."
Space did so. Her eyes glazed over, and Lecalicus worked in a cough that had been building up for a while.
"What is that?"
"Her new name among the Sprilnav, spoken by everyone aware of her. The Liberator."
"But the recursive effect alone-"
"Will be massive. But look closer," Lecalicus told her.
"What- oh."
Space was silent for a long moment. Ghostly images of random humans appeared in the room. Small glimmers of psychic and conceptual power linked all of them. The hivemind's network grew until it was fully on display in the single room. Normally, the 15 or 16 billion humans wouldn't fit in a single room. But Space didn't care about those rules. Bodies crossed without intersection, and a pale apparition of the hivemind appeared over them.
Incredibly, Penny and several other humans were a level 'above' the rest, though Lecalicus recognized only Penny, Tsonga, and Nichole. They almost looked like nodes in the hivemind's network, really. Penny was still gently connected, though nothing of substance could be shared over such an extreme distance, especially within any reasonable time frame.
The hivemind's glowing colors brightened, and Space grew concerned. Lecalicus watched as her grip on the conceptual power weakened slightly. The hivemind's arm twitched. The 'nodes' began to vibrate as their expressions became ones of immense determination. Small pockets of effort bubbled up in a rippling wave across the hivemind, separating into distinct blocks.
Lecalicus noticed a block of humans that were smaller than normal. Tens of thousands of fetuses, with stronger genetics than usual. He smiled.
Cloning.
He'd keep that a secret. He couldn't afford an interference penalty, and Penny might really kill him if he leaked the existence of a human cloning project.
How odd, that I now fear her, he mused. It spoke both to how far he'd fallen, and how far she'd risen.
Each block began to coordinate, all without the humans inside them knowing. The nodes did, though, and kept fighting. Space shrugged and released the vision. The room returned to normal, and they shared a long, contemplative silence.
Lecalicus loved a good wait when it didn't leave him nothing to distract himself from the dull ache of his pain and the jolts of power Death sent into him to keep requiring Space's treatment. She sucked in a breath of the gas which filled the room, which had properties Lecalicus didn't understand. Calling it 'air' didn't really cut it.
"So that was enlightening. Humanity is more powerful than I hoped."
"The hivemind," Lecalicus said. "She is still connected to it, and thus every heap of power she gains attaches a scrap of the Liberator name to all of Humanity. Champion is weak as a title, but Liberator is strong. Too strong for her own good."
"What does that mean for her, and for us?"
"For us? It means we might be seeing some more freedom here soon. But for them? Fire, dust, and blood."
"Is that why?" Space asked.
"Why what?"
"Why Indrafabar is on the trial."
"It might be a reason. I don't know his exact motivations, and can only approximate. Part of his reason could be 'because I can' or to express his power as a Progenitor to force even Justicar to move on his own planet to make room for him in the highest profile trial he's had in thousands of years. Indrafabar's ego is not dormant, let's just say. But I would expect Penny's actions to come up in the trial.
Remember, all Yasihaut, the Challenger, has to prove to the court is that the Defendant, Penny, is a threat to the Sprilnav, and successfully lump the Alliance. If she manages to convict Penny alone, it would cause problems for her."
"How?"
"Because if Penny knew she was about to die, and was in the room with her most hated rival, do you really think conceptual armor would stop Penny from killing her this time? She already has a weapon capable of breaching that armor, and the strength to wield it. With two utterances, she could get it and then ensure it reaches Yasihaut."
"It would be a foolish decision."
"To kill a rival in one's final breath is the dream of many, alien or Sprilnav. But the court will not be partial toward the Alliance, that is for sure. Penny will have an uphill battle, and Phoebe is not allowed to represent her for this one either. As for the Judgment, it is a trial that will be harder to keep fact-based than the last one, which ended up in a massive battle and the crippling of me and Twilight, the abduction of Nilnacrawla, and even the extra pushes by the AIs of the Alliance along the Path. Speaking of which, there has been a development with Edu'frec."
2024.05.13 01:11 ar_david_hh Insider: Church leaders met to discuss next steps; The events preceding AM-AZ border delimitation agreement; Geopolitics & diplomacy; Kazakhstan, Blinken & Macron: Interview w/ Babajanyan \\ Death threats, sappers, and the ժեխ \\ Opposition's plan \\ Car insurance market liberalization
10-minute read.
BABAJANYAN: Azerbaijan was initially refusing the launch the border delimitation unless Armenia withdrew from the 2.5 Soviet-era Azeri villages. This Tavush delimitation process began during the [February] meeting in Berlin, after which Pashinyan announced that Armenia had to transfer the 2.5 villages. Blinken visited Paris and discussed this issue with Macron, followed by a joint press conference in which the French FM accused Azerbaijan of occupying Armenian territories. Blinken called Aliyev, and for the first time, Azerbaijan very openly vowed to continue the process based on the 1991 Almaty principles.
This is when we learned that the Armenian side was finally able to sway Azerbaijan and to organize the transfer of these 2.5 villages not as a one-sided concession, which is what Azerbaijan initially demanded, but to include them as part of a wider Almaty delimitation agreement (April 19), which is what Armenia wanted.
The 1991 Almaty declaration was one of the few cards in Armenia's hands and that is what Armenian diplomacy has been focused on since the September 2022 invasion, after Russia refused to help and Armenia decided to use the Almaty as a legal tool to pressure Azerbaijan with the help of West in Prague. After two years of intense diplomatic efforts, we were able to reach an agreement (April 19) with Azerbaijan around Almaty principles. However, Azerbaijan continues to resist the inclusion of Almaty in the larger peace agreement, while Armenia continues to negotiate for its inclusion.
I have internal information that the Armenian opposition's protests to the 1991 Almaty process have had no effect on the diplomatic efforts. Kazakhstan stepped in and made the 1991 Almaty declaration even more symbolic and stronger by providing a platform for negotiations. Armenia must treat Kazakhstan as a potential economic and political partner in Central Asia. The news of President Tokayev's trip to Yerevan was met with pain in Baku because Kazakhstan is a member of Turkic states.
This delimitation process is accompanied by several geopolitical developments that have a direct impact on the future of Russia's influence in the South Caucasus. (1) The April 5 meeting radically changed Armenia's weight category. (2) The outcome of the Pashinyan-Putin meeting: withdrawal of Russian forces from the AM-AZ border, in addition to Zvartnots Airport.
In 1988, Soviet Armenia and Soviet Azerbaijan went through a whole set of legal procedures to conduct a border delimitation and demarcation. It's no coincidence that Nikol Pashinyan emphasizes the need to "reproduce" the borders. In 1988, Soviet AM and AZ used topographic maps to confirm 95% of the border - around 1050 kilometers. Today they are trying to stay as close to this as possible.
I'm not a fan of direct AM-AZ talks without a Western mediator, but we know that Blinken is being briefed daily on this process so it's one of the topics at the center of his attention. The West has welcomed the delimitation process. The West is "present" as long as the process is based on Almaty principles. As for Russia, they are more cautious towards this Almaty delimitation because Russia itself is violating Almaty in Ukraine.
REPORTER: Why do you find it important to minimize Russia's physical presence in Armenia?
BABAJANYAN: (1) Russian presence did/does not protect Armenia from external threats. (2) Russian forces are a potential threat to Armenia's internal stability. We've witnessed hybrid warfare attacks from Russia and the use of Russian agents in Armenia's internal political life. I can't rule out the possibility of Russia using its forces in Armenia to resolve its problems. (3) Russian border agents were preventing Armenian citizens from moving from one Armenian settlement to another Armenian settlement, within Armenia. They were also preventing Armenian journalists and EU border observers from entering certain regions.
Russia's main ally in the South Caucasus is animosity and bloodshed. If we are able to involve the international community in this delimitation process, if we are able to deploy a contingent of Armenian border guards equipped with modern monitoring tech across the border, and I know for a fact that the West wants to help Armenia with this, then I don't see why it won't be possible for Armenia to guard its own borders.
REPORTER: You mentioned a possible intervention by Russian forces into Armenia's internal affairs. What did you mean?
BABAJANYAN: The forced removal of the Pashinyan administration with the use of the 102nd Russian military base, if they realize there is no other way to accomplish that. They have ranking officials like Dmitri Medvedev, who is the deputy head of NatSec, writing posts that convey the Russian government's stance towards the Armenian government and Armenia's European aspirations.
REPORTER: But how can we have peace with Azerbaijan if they are talking about Armenia being "Western Azerbaijan"?
BABAJANYAN: What Aliyev says with the intention of stirring things up in Armenia and feeding his own population should not hold Armenia back from doing what's best for Armenia. Azerbaijan's agreement to accept the Almaty principles was a big concession by Azerbaijan. Prior to that, every time Armenia would slightly hint at Almaty, Azerbaijani figures would raise vaynasoon and sharply rebuke Armenia.
Azeris were bringing arguments against the 1991 Almaty. (1) They [and Armenian's parliamentary opposition party ARF] argued that Azerbaijan did not ratify the 1991 Almaty in 1992. (2) They argued that Armenia violated Almaty by entering Lachin during the first war to protect ethnic Armenians. However, as of right now, there are serious internal political developments in Azerbaijan after Aliyev's recent statement on recognizing Armenia's territorial integrity and acceptance of Almaty as the principle for border delimitation. This was a diplomatic accomplishment by Armenia, backed by the international community's support. Aliyev's occasional outbursts of maximalist rhetoric do not help the process, of course, but it's part of a hybrid warfare against Armenia. I'm surprised we have so many analysts in Armenia who still fall for it and help Aliyev while ignoring Armenia's accomplishments on Western platforms.
REPORTER: There are protests in Armenia led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan. They demand Pashinyan's resignation.
BABAJANYAN: There is nothing complicated here. I know quite well where this movement originated from, how it got big, and who the forces are behind this process. Initially, they did not publicly demand for PM's resignation, before suddenly demanding it on Republic Square. I think this is an "apolitical" movement because it lacks a political program. The figures behind this process perhaps believe the public is naïve and doesn't understand what's happening. The beneficiaries of this movement are not on the stage; they are elsewhere, including outside of Armenia [in Russia]. They have attempted coups since 2018 because they are terrified of elections.
As a former [churchman], I have insider sources from the church. Yesterday I met ranking clergy figures and I've been informed about the internal situation, what the majority of archbishops think, and what happened yesterday at 7 pm.
REPORTER: What happened at 7 pm?
BABAJANYAN: A meeting by ranking church officials. They urged the Catholicos [big boss] to take steps to prevent the escalation of this process. No surprise that they held it at 7 pm. They essentially waited to see how many people would show up at the Republic Square protest [the number was reportedly 3x smaller than previously]. They recognized that their "holy movement" was dying down and Catholicos himself understood that it was necessary to stop Archbishop Bagrat. The Catholicos said that he plans to speak with Bagrat on Sunday and convince him to end his participation in this movement. The Catholicos will thank Bagrat for his service, and for leading people, and will urge Bagrat to hand over the movement to politicians. Bagrat will be asked to return to serve in his church in Tavush. How Bagrat will respond to this, and how the supreme leadership of the church will respond, will likely become clear on Monday after the second meeting of ranking churchmen.
Other archbishops are very concerned about the events in Yerevan and its impact on the church's reputation and future developments. Archbishop Bagrat has opened Pandora's Box and granted the government the legitimate right to also intervene in the church's internal affairs, including financial and material processes, something that the state has so far left untouched. It won't be a problem now for the state to investigate the church's revenue sources and donations. I think it's time to tax the income from parafin sales and other sources.
The Catholicos informed the other archbishops that he was not behind the march launched by Bagrat and that he only "blessed" Bagrat's efforts limited in Tavush. Catholicos also told archbishops that he urged Bagrat to stay with Tavush villagers, serve them, and amplify their voices. In other words, Catholicos says he has no participation in the "march". This is according to ~10 archbishops with whom I spoke. I believe them. I believe Catholicos did not take part in this process. Perhaps Bagrat thought his actions were helping the church so he decided to claim that he had the Catholicos's "blessing".
Sure, Catholicos could have called and asked Bagrat to retract it, or perhaps Catholicos legitimately thought Bagrat could succeed in his "holy struggle" and in bringing back Kocharyan. Kocharyan's circles are actively discussing the candidacy of ex-Ombudsman Arman Tatoyan, who is a favorite of former regime forces.
I believe Catholicos and Bagrat have already met today [Bagrat later said it's a normal practice to regularly meet Catholicos but claims they have not discussed the ongoing protests...]. I hope Bagrat will announce how he plans to end his mission. If you remember, he said earlier that he has no plans to take part in this process forever and that it's a matter of "few days" for him.
The timing of this movement is not a coincidence. For Russia, the target is May 15, when border commissions led by Mher Grigoryan and Mustafayev must sign the Protocols to be ratified by parliaments. If they manage to derail this process, Azerbaijan will use it as a chance to exit the border delimitation process that's based on Almaty principles. The West "forcefully" brought Azerbaijan to this negotiation table, so if Armenia walks away, Azerbaijan could use it as an excuse to carry out more aggression. This delimitation is the biggest diplomatic achievement of the Pashinyan administration in 6 years.
source, source, source,
A ruling party MP accused some of the ex-diplomats in the aforementioned group of "deserting" during the difficult hours in 2021.
MP TOROSYAN: It's 2021. The government has resigned. Azerbaijan invades Armenia in May. These people fled their diplomatic trenches and left the country without a Foreign Minister, knowing well that the just-resigned government could not appoint a new Minister. This includes Ara Ayvazyan. //
source, source,
source,
(2) No constitutional reforms until new elections [Pashinyan did not plan to hold one that soon either]
(3) No Academic City. [need to involve as many student protesters as possible]
(4) Reversing Pashinyan's policy of removing the Armenian Language from the science field. [unclear what it means, is it about shifting to English-language programs?]
(5) Reversing Pashinyan's plan for the Central Bank to have access to bank account balances [but not individual transactions] for anti-laundering purposes.
(6) Won't raise the transport price. [need Dog to join protests]
(7) The release of former officials from jails. The opposition calls them "political prisoners". A U.S. report on Armenia says there are no political prisoners in Armenia.
(8) Bring back the Nagorno-Karabakh officials imprisoned in Baku.
(9) Delimit the borders under one package after signing a peace agreement.
source, source,
(1) Join [the impeachment of Nikol]
(2) Nemesis 2.0 [get assassinated]
(3) A ticket to Istanbul [because Nikol = "Turks"]
The MP Alexanyan accused ARF of inciting violence and using a rhetoric towards Pashinyan that's 80% similar to the rhetoric they used before the assassination of PM Vazgen Sargsyan in 1999.
He also accused the Archbishop-led protest of being "fascist" after one of the speakers said, "Those who are not Armenian should leave this country" [presumably "Turks"]. Another opposition speaker thanked the ethnic minority supporters who joined them.
source, source,
source, source,
BUREAU: The outcome meets our expectations and we are satisfied. The practice of other countries shows that liberalization can briefly raise the prices before it's reduced by competition, but we didn't see a price hike in Armenia.
REPORTER: The prices were reviewed twice over the last year. Initially, it dropped too much amid a competition between firms trying to attract clients. The coverage also improved for motorists, raising the size of average compensation.
BUREAU: That's why the second correction was made, raising the prices. Still, the price [premiums] is 2% lower and the size of compensation is 17% larger than before the liberalization. It meets our expectations.
REPORTER: Here are stats from one of the car insurance firms...
2023: 83K clients
2024: 87K clients
2023: ֏3.7B collected
2024: ֏2.9B collected
2023: ֏2.047B compensated
2024: ֏2.056B compensated
INGO INSURANCE FIRM: This system is fair because it rewards drivers with a good record, allowing them to freely choose between firms.
more in video,
submitted by ar_david_hh to armenia [link] [comments]
interview with Hanun Hanrapetutyan party leader Arman Babajanyan: Germany & Blinken, border delimitation, opposition Archbishop's meeting with his boss Catholicos
REPORTER: What can you tell us about the meeting in Kazakhstan?BABAJANYAN: Azerbaijan was initially refusing the launch the border delimitation unless Armenia withdrew from the 2.5 Soviet-era Azeri villages. This Tavush delimitation process began during the [February] meeting in Berlin, after which Pashinyan announced that Armenia had to transfer the 2.5 villages. Blinken visited Paris and discussed this issue with Macron, followed by a joint press conference in which the French FM accused Azerbaijan of occupying Armenian territories. Blinken called Aliyev, and for the first time, Azerbaijan very openly vowed to continue the process based on the 1991 Almaty principles.
This is when we learned that the Armenian side was finally able to sway Azerbaijan and to organize the transfer of these 2.5 villages not as a one-sided concession, which is what Azerbaijan initially demanded, but to include them as part of a wider Almaty delimitation agreement (April 19), which is what Armenia wanted.
The 1991 Almaty declaration was one of the few cards in Armenia's hands and that is what Armenian diplomacy has been focused on since the September 2022 invasion, after Russia refused to help and Armenia decided to use the Almaty as a legal tool to pressure Azerbaijan with the help of West in Prague. After two years of intense diplomatic efforts, we were able to reach an agreement (April 19) with Azerbaijan around Almaty principles. However, Azerbaijan continues to resist the inclusion of Almaty in the larger peace agreement, while Armenia continues to negotiate for its inclusion.
I have internal information that the Armenian opposition's protests to the 1991 Almaty process have had no effect on the diplomatic efforts. Kazakhstan stepped in and made the 1991 Almaty declaration even more symbolic and stronger by providing a platform for negotiations. Armenia must treat Kazakhstan as a potential economic and political partner in Central Asia. The news of President Tokayev's trip to Yerevan was met with pain in Baku because Kazakhstan is a member of Turkic states.
This delimitation process is accompanied by several geopolitical developments that have a direct impact on the future of Russia's influence in the South Caucasus. (1) The April 5 meeting radically changed Armenia's weight category. (2) The outcome of the Pashinyan-Putin meeting: withdrawal of Russian forces from the AM-AZ border, in addition to Zvartnots Airport.
In 1988, Soviet Armenia and Soviet Azerbaijan went through a whole set of legal procedures to conduct a border delimitation and demarcation. It's no coincidence that Nikol Pashinyan emphasizes the need to "reproduce" the borders. In 1988, Soviet AM and AZ used topographic maps to confirm 95% of the border - around 1050 kilometers. Today they are trying to stay as close to this as possible.
I'm not a fan of direct AM-AZ talks without a Western mediator, but we know that Blinken is being briefed daily on this process so it's one of the topics at the center of his attention. The West has welcomed the delimitation process. The West is "present" as long as the process is based on Almaty principles. As for Russia, they are more cautious towards this Almaty delimitation because Russia itself is violating Almaty in Ukraine.
REPORTER: Why do you find it important to minimize Russia's physical presence in Armenia?
BABAJANYAN: (1) Russian presence did/does not protect Armenia from external threats. (2) Russian forces are a potential threat to Armenia's internal stability. We've witnessed hybrid warfare attacks from Russia and the use of Russian agents in Armenia's internal political life. I can't rule out the possibility of Russia using its forces in Armenia to resolve its problems. (3) Russian border agents were preventing Armenian citizens from moving from one Armenian settlement to another Armenian settlement, within Armenia. They were also preventing Armenian journalists and EU border observers from entering certain regions.
Russia's main ally in the South Caucasus is animosity and bloodshed. If we are able to involve the international community in this delimitation process, if we are able to deploy a contingent of Armenian border guards equipped with modern monitoring tech across the border, and I know for a fact that the West wants to help Armenia with this, then I don't see why it won't be possible for Armenia to guard its own borders.
REPORTER: You mentioned a possible intervention by Russian forces into Armenia's internal affairs. What did you mean?
BABAJANYAN: The forced removal of the Pashinyan administration with the use of the 102nd Russian military base, if they realize there is no other way to accomplish that. They have ranking officials like Dmitri Medvedev, who is the deputy head of NatSec, writing posts that convey the Russian government's stance towards the Armenian government and Armenia's European aspirations.
REPORTER: But how can we have peace with Azerbaijan if they are talking about Armenia being "Western Azerbaijan"?
BABAJANYAN: What Aliyev says with the intention of stirring things up in Armenia and feeding his own population should not hold Armenia back from doing what's best for Armenia. Azerbaijan's agreement to accept the Almaty principles was a big concession by Azerbaijan. Prior to that, every time Armenia would slightly hint at Almaty, Azerbaijani figures would raise vaynasoon and sharply rebuke Armenia.
Azeris were bringing arguments against the 1991 Almaty. (1) They [and Armenian's parliamentary opposition party ARF] argued that Azerbaijan did not ratify the 1991 Almaty in 1992. (2) They argued that Armenia violated Almaty by entering Lachin during the first war to protect ethnic Armenians. However, as of right now, there are serious internal political developments in Azerbaijan after Aliyev's recent statement on recognizing Armenia's territorial integrity and acceptance of Almaty as the principle for border delimitation. This was a diplomatic accomplishment by Armenia, backed by the international community's support. Aliyev's occasional outbursts of maximalist rhetoric do not help the process, of course, but it's part of a hybrid warfare against Armenia. I'm surprised we have so many analysts in Armenia who still fall for it and help Aliyev while ignoring Armenia's accomplishments on Western platforms.
REPORTER: There are protests in Armenia led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan. They demand Pashinyan's resignation.
BABAJANYAN: There is nothing complicated here. I know quite well where this movement originated from, how it got big, and who the forces are behind this process. Initially, they did not publicly demand for PM's resignation, before suddenly demanding it on Republic Square. I think this is an "apolitical" movement because it lacks a political program. The figures behind this process perhaps believe the public is naïve and doesn't understand what's happening. The beneficiaries of this movement are not on the stage; they are elsewhere, including outside of Armenia [in Russia]. They have attempted coups since 2018 because they are terrified of elections.
As a former [churchman], I have insider sources from the church. Yesterday I met ranking clergy figures and I've been informed about the internal situation, what the majority of archbishops think, and what happened yesterday at 7 pm.
REPORTER: What happened at 7 pm?
BABAJANYAN: A meeting by ranking church officials. They urged the Catholicos [big boss] to take steps to prevent the escalation of this process. No surprise that they held it at 7 pm. They essentially waited to see how many people would show up at the Republic Square protest [the number was reportedly 3x smaller than previously]. They recognized that their "holy movement" was dying down and Catholicos himself understood that it was necessary to stop Archbishop Bagrat. The Catholicos said that he plans to speak with Bagrat on Sunday and convince him to end his participation in this movement. The Catholicos will thank Bagrat for his service, and for leading people, and will urge Bagrat to hand over the movement to politicians. Bagrat will be asked to return to serve in his church in Tavush. How Bagrat will respond to this, and how the supreme leadership of the church will respond, will likely become clear on Monday after the second meeting of ranking churchmen.
Other archbishops are very concerned about the events in Yerevan and its impact on the church's reputation and future developments. Archbishop Bagrat has opened Pandora's Box and granted the government the legitimate right to also intervene in the church's internal affairs, including financial and material processes, something that the state has so far left untouched. It won't be a problem now for the state to investigate the church's revenue sources and donations. I think it's time to tax the income from parafin sales and other sources.
The Catholicos informed the other archbishops that he was not behind the march launched by Bagrat and that he only "blessed" Bagrat's efforts limited in Tavush. Catholicos also told archbishops that he urged Bagrat to stay with Tavush villagers, serve them, and amplify their voices. In other words, Catholicos says he has no participation in the "march". This is according to ~10 archbishops with whom I spoke. I believe them. I believe Catholicos did not take part in this process. Perhaps Bagrat thought his actions were helping the church so he decided to claim that he had the Catholicos's "blessing".
Sure, Catholicos could have called and asked Bagrat to retract it, or perhaps Catholicos legitimately thought Bagrat could succeed in his "holy struggle" and in bringing back Kocharyan. Kocharyan's circles are actively discussing the candidacy of ex-Ombudsman Arman Tatoyan, who is a favorite of former regime forces.
I believe Catholicos and Bagrat have already met today [Bagrat later said it's a normal practice to regularly meet Catholicos but claims they have not discussed the ongoing protests...]. I hope Bagrat will announce how he plans to end his mission. If you remember, he said earlier that he has no plans to take part in this process forever and that it's a matter of "few days" for him.
The timing of this movement is not a coincidence. For Russia, the target is May 15, when border commissions led by Mher Grigoryan and Mustafayev must sign the Protocols to be ratified by parliaments. If they manage to derail this process, Azerbaijan will use it as a chance to exit the border delimitation process that's based on Almaty principles. The West "forcefully" brought Azerbaijan to this negotiation table, so if Armenia walks away, Azerbaijan could use it as an excuse to carry out more aggression. This delimitation is the biggest diplomatic achievement of the Pashinyan administration in 6 years.
source, source, source,
"adopting the 1991 Almaty Declaration as the basis for border delimitation is a felony crime": ex-foreign ministry official Vahagn Melikyan, an opposition speaker in Republic Square
Yesterday opposition churchman Bagrat asked Kocharyan's foreign minister Vardan Oskanian and other ex-officials to draft a new negotiation system. They announced the involvement of 30 foreign diplomats, who urged for the suspension of the ongoing delimitation process based on 1991 Almaty, "քանի որ այն չի պարունակում սահմանային նկարագիր, միայն տարածքային պահանջներ չունենալու հարց ունի": //A ruling party MP accused some of the ex-diplomats in the aforementioned group of "deserting" during the difficult hours in 2021.
MP TOROSYAN: It's 2021. The government has resigned. Azerbaijan invades Armenia in May. These people fled their diplomatic trenches and left the country without a Foreign Minister, knowing well that the just-resigned government could not appoint a new Minister. This includes Ara Ayvazyan. //
source, source,
Russia begins withdrawing border agents from the Armenia-Azerbaijan border at the request of Pashinyan
Goris and Chakaten in Syunik are first. They were deployed there in December 2020 at the request of Pashinyan.source,
these are the former regime's plans after the removal of Pashinyan, according to Bagrat
(1) The end of Pashinyan's anti-Russian foreign policy.(2) No constitutional reforms until new elections [Pashinyan did not plan to hold one that soon either]
(3) No Academic City. [need to involve as many student protesters as possible]
(4) Reversing Pashinyan's policy of removing the Armenian Language from the science field. [unclear what it means, is it about shifting to English-language programs?]
(5) Reversing Pashinyan's plan for the Central Bank to have access to bank account balances [but not individual transactions] for anti-laundering purposes.
(6) Won't raise the transport price. [need Dog to join protests]
(7) The release of former officials from jails. The opposition calls them "political prisoners". A U.S. report on Armenia says there are no political prisoners in Armenia.
(8) Bring back the Nagorno-Karabakh officials imprisoned in Baku.
(9) Delimit the borders under one package after signing a peace agreement.
source, source,
prominent opposition figure and protest co-organizer wishes the death of Armenian sappers who carry out demining activities on Tavush borders
EDGAR GHAZARYAN (Serj-era head of Staff of Constitutional Court): There have already been two instances of Armenian sappers blowing up on the mines planted by Armenian soldiers in Armenia. I wish this to all of them. We wish for every Armenian sapper who enters that minefield to be removed dead or wounded.Արդեն երկրորդ դեպքն է, որ հայ սակրավորը պայթում է հայ զինվորի կողմից տեղադրված ականի վրա ՀՀ ինքնիշխան տարածքում: Մաղթում ենք, որ դա վերաբերվի բոլորին: Ինչքան հայ սակրավոր կմտնի ականապատ դաշտ, ցանկանում ենք, որ այնտեղից դուրս բերվի նրա մարմինը կամ վիրավոր մարմինըsource,
prominent ruling party MP shared a death threat he allegedly received on Facebook
Which one would you choose?(1) Join [the impeachment of Nikol]
(2) Nemesis 2.0 [get assassinated]
(3) A ticket to Istanbul [because Nikol = "Turks"]
The MP Alexanyan accused ARF of inciting violence and using a rhetoric towards Pashinyan that's 80% similar to the rhetoric they used before the assassination of PM Vazgen Sargsyan in 1999.
He also accused the Archbishop-led protest of being "fascist" after one of the speakers said, "Those who are not Armenian should leave this country" [presumably "Turks"]. Another opposition speaker thanked the ethnic minority supporters who joined them.
source, source,
This is your only realistic chance to prevent Nikol from building the Academic City and turning your child gay by filling up the Academic Library with George Soros books.
The opposition called for total paralysis of Yerevan starting at 8 am through road closures, strikes, and other acts of civil disobedience. A ruling party MP described it as acts of "obedience" by Kocharyan's team towards his "northern rulers" [Russia].source, source,
STARMUS 2024 science-music festival begins in Slovakia
https://www.starmus.com/Armenia's car insurance market has been liberalized
REPORTER: The car insurance market was liberalized a year ago. Instead of fixed prices, companies offer their own prices now. The monitoring body, the Motor Insurance Bureau, reviewed the outcome a year later.BUREAU: The outcome meets our expectations and we are satisfied. The practice of other countries shows that liberalization can briefly raise the prices before it's reduced by competition, but we didn't see a price hike in Armenia.
REPORTER: The prices were reviewed twice over the last year. Initially, it dropped too much amid a competition between firms trying to attract clients. The coverage also improved for motorists, raising the size of average compensation.
BUREAU: That's why the second correction was made, raising the prices. Still, the price [premiums] is 2% lower and the size of compensation is 17% larger than before the liberalization. It meets our expectations.
REPORTER: Here are stats from one of the car insurance firms...
2023: 83K clients
2024: 87K clients
2023: ֏3.7B collected
2024: ֏2.9B collected
2023: ֏2.047B compensated
2024: ֏2.056B compensated
INGO INSURANCE FIRM: This system is fair because it rewards drivers with a good record, allowing them to freely choose between firms.
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